Welcome to the Pacific Tier

There is a retractable drying line in the shower of each cabin.

Yes, you will find a small refrigerator in all grades of cabin on board and are normally below four degrees Celsius.

The dimensions of the fridges are approximately: Width 34cm Height 45cm Depth 25cm

Please note, some exceptions may apply on dimensions.

There are no weight restrictions on the upper pullmans, however there is a weight restriction on the bunk ladder of 130 kg which is approximately 20 Stone.

The upper pullmans are "shock tested" to approximately 300 kg.

Any passenger can sleep in a upper pullman, please bear in mind the bed is elevated therefore a lower berth/cot may be suitable for children/babies.

You will be unable to have a queen bed configuration in the cabin if any of the upper pullmans are in use.*

*The exception to this is will be Iona inside cabins where there are no safety issues when pullmans are in use.

We supply the type of mattress protector that fit over the top of the mattress. These are on all beds as standard when they are made. We can't supply the type that provides a seal against liquid and air.

All bath linen is supplied by Calderon.

Bathrobes are supplied by Richard Haworth and can be bought directly from Housekeeping on-board.

Aurora is the only ship to feature automatic doors on accessible cabins, (the doors open into the cabin). All other ships are fitted with manual doors on all cabins.

You may find the following question useful: What does a wheelchair adapted cabin look like?

Bathrobes are offered in a large or small size for adults and are not supplied for children.

The same applies for slippers.

Family suites are available for a minimum of 4 guests and up to a maximum of 6 guests.

The Family Sea View Suites on Iona, can accommodate a maximum of 4 guests.

All of our 3/4 berths are in the form of a sofa bed or an upper pullman. Please see below for which cabins have sofa beds:

Arcadia
Suites - B1 | B2 | B4 grades
Mini Suites * - CA | CB | CE grades
Deluxe Balcony * - EA | EB | EC | EE | EF grades
Sea View* - LB | LC | LE | LF grades
Larger Inside * - OA | OB** | OC | PA | PE grades

**OB Grade cabins on G-Deck only. C-Deck cabins are now 3 berths with an upper pullman.

Aurora
Suites- B1 | B2 | B5 grades
Mini Suites* - CB | CD grades
Deluxe Balcony* - EA | EB | ED | EE grades
Balcony* - GA | GB | GD grades
Outside* - KB | KD grades
Inside* - OA | OE grades

Azura
Suites - A1 | B2 | B4 | B5 grades
Superior Deluxe Balcony* - DA | DB | DD | DE grades

Britannia
Suites - B1 | B2 | B4 | B5 grades
Superior Deluxe Balcony * - DA | DB | DC grades
Balcony * - GB | GC | GD | GE | GF | IC | IE | IB grades

Iona
All 3 berth cabins in all cabin grades are in the form of a single sofa bed.
All 4 berth cabins in all cabin grades are in the form of a single sofa bed and an upper pullman.

Ventura
Suites - A1 | B2 | B4 | B5 grades
Superior Deluxe Balcony * - DA | DD | DB | DE grade

*Selected cabins on these grades do not have sofa beds, please check the deck plan notes for further information.

Children bed rails/guards are available on all ships apart from Arcadia and Aurora. 

Bed rails/guards can be requested on board, via your travel agent, or by calling our Customer Contact Centre.

We do not offer bed rails/guards for adults.

The cots are supplied with a fitted sheet covering the mattress and also one small cellular blanket.

The beds in most cabins on each ship can be converted from two twins to a double (queen) bed or vice versa. There are however, some exceptions as detailed below:

Arcadia

There are no cabins with fixed beds on Arcadia.

Aurora

C124 & C127 on Aurora have fixed double beds.

Azura

D101, D102, P211, P214, P217, P218, P221, P222, P225, P226, P229, P230, P233, P234, P323, P324, P325, P328 all have fixed twin beds.

Britannia

All inside 4 berth cabins on grades PA | PB | PC | PD | PE | PF have fixed twin beds.

A120, A121, A124, A125, A244, A249, A528, A541, B244, B249, B526, B531, B611, B612, B616, B617, B618, B619, B707, B708, C118, C119, C248, C249, C316, C317, C322, C323, C539, C545, C615, C619, C623, C627, C714, C715, D122, D123, D248, D249, D438, D439, D442, D443, D539, D545, D724, D725, D730, D731, E130, E131, E248, E249, E344, E345, E348, E349, E438, E439, E442, E443, E531, E537, E716, E717, E722, E723, F426, F427, G434, G435, G533

Iona

There are no fixed berths on Iona.

Ventura

The following cabins have fixed twin berths:

D101, D102, P201, P202, P203, P204, P205, P206, P207, P208, P209, P210, P211, P214, P217, P218, P221, P222, P225, P226, P229, P230, P233, P234, P323, P324, P325, P328

Please note that in some cases where additional berths can be used in cabins, it may not be possible to configure the lower berths as a double where available.

Bathrobes and Slippers are available in Suites (all ships), Mini-Suites (Arcadia and Aurora) Conservatory Mini-Suites (Iona and Arvia) and Superior Deluxe Balcony cabins (Azura, Britannia and Ventura

These should not be taken off the ship and are not supplied in any other cabin.

Bathrobes and slippers are "one size fit's all" adult sizes and are supplied for each adult in the Suite / Mini-Suite / Superior Deluxe Cabin.

Bathrobes are available to purchase from our Gift Collection.

All bath linen is supplied by Calderon.

Bathrobes are supplied by Richard Haworth and can be bought directly from Housekeeping on board. 

There are radios* in some of the suite cabins on board:

Arcadia
Available in all Suites.

Aurora
Does not have radios in Suites.

Azura
Does not have radios in Suites.

Britannia
Available in the Roberts Suite only.

Iona
A Bose radio system with bluetooth functionality available in all Suites.

Ventura
A Bose Wave CD Radio player available in all Suites. The radio will only work in port.

*Please note the signal may be weak whilst at sea.

Your cabin will have air conditioning in your cabin which you can adjust, therefore a fan is not necessary.

If you still want to bring your own you must make this known when boarding the ship so that we can carry out essential electric testing on the appliance.

All suites (excluding Arcadia, Britannia and Iona) have a curtain/partition which can be drawn that will allow the living area to be separated from the sleeping area.

Britannia's Superior Deluxe Balcony has a curtain/partition which can be drawn that will allow the living area to be separated. Arcadia's Balcony Cabins have small curtains which can be drawn that will allow the living area to be separated.

Iona has been designed with furniture dividers for privacy. Aft Suites will have separate bedrooms and living spaces.

In addition, these are also available in Mini Suites on Aurora and Deluxe Balcony cabins on Aurora and Arcadia. 

Dividing curtains/partitions are not available in any other cabin type.

The majority of balconies are interconnecting and can be opened by your cabin steward upon request.

There may be some instances where this may not be possible. Your cabin steward will be able to confirm this for you.

All balcony cabins on Deck 5 of Iona are unable to be connected.

There are various places within your cabin to store your luggage.

Many cases will fit underneath the bed or alternatively there are storage areas in the wardrobe or by the closet area.

The height of the balcony railings are approximately 110cm high.

Yes, this is available for all suite guests.

If you are travelling in a alternative cabin and would like an ice bucket and additional glasses, these can be requested from your cabin steward once on-board.

Hand Rails

Some cabins with a shower or a bath feature a small grab rail to assist with getting in and out. To check if this applies to a specific cabin please call our Customer Contact Centre, contact details can be found on our website. All wheelchair accessible cabins feature a roll in shower with a hand rail by the toilet and shower with a fixed shower seat.

Shower / Bath Mats

Each bath and shower has a non-slip floor. Shower/bath mats are available to request once on-board via your cabin steward. These are available on a first come first serve basis.

Yes. You will find a Bible in your bedside table drawer.

On Britannia, Azura, Iona and Ventura there are locks on the balcony doors, the rest of the fleet do not have locks, but can be securely closed by puling the handle up.

Bath and shower dimensions are approximate and may vary on each ship.

Arcadia

In cabins A62A | B60A | B107A | E129A - there is a step up into the bathroom of 26cm. When exiting the bathroom there is a step up of 7.5cm before a drop down of 26cm.

Shower dimensions

Bath dimensions

Aurora

Shower dimensions

Bath dimensions

Azura 

Shower dimensions

Bath dimensions

Britannia

Shower dimensions

Bath dimensions

Iona

Complete dimensions are yet to be confirmed. In standard cabins there will be a step of approximately 5cm into the shower. Showers in accessible cabins are wet rooms, so there will be no step.

There is a step of approximately 15-17cm into the bathroom of standard cabins and no step in accessible cabins.

Ventura

Shower dimensions

Bath dimensions

Sheltered Balconies

Aurora

Typical for most cabins in the GA & GF graded balconies

Arcadia

Partially Shaded

Azura

The following cabins have balconies which benefit from partial shade created by the deck above.

Lido Deck - cabins L218 to L312 and L219 to L311

Riviera Deck - all cabins on port and starboard sides

A Deck - A101, A102, A103 & A104 have shaded balconies

E Deck - E101, E102, E105, E106, E109, E110, E114, E115, E118 & E119 are partially shaded from the deck above

Arvia

The following cabins have balconies which benfit from partial shade created by the deck above.

Deck 15- 15526, 15527, 15528, 15529, 15530, 15531, 15532, 15533, 15534, 15535, 15536, 15537, 15538, 15539, 15540, 15542, 15601, 15602. 15603. 15604, 15605, 15606, 15607, 15608, 15609, 15610, 15611, 15612, 15614, 15615, 15616, 15617, 15618, 15619, 15619, 15620, 15621, 15622, 15623, 15624, 15625, 15626, 15627, 15628, 15629, 15630, 15631, 15632, 15633, 15701, 15702, 15703, 15704, 15705, 15706, 15708, 15711, 15712, 15734, 15735

Deck 5- 5320, 5323, 5326, 5328, 5329, 5331, 5334, 5336, 5337, 5339, 5342, 5344, 5345, 5347, 5350, 5352, 5353, 5355, 5358, 5359, 5401, 5402, 5403, 5404, 5405, 5406, 5411, 5412, 5414, 5415, 5420, 5421, 5422, 5423, 5428, 5429, 5430, 5431, 5436, 5437, 5438, 5439, 5444, 5445, 5446, 5447, 5452, 5453, 5454, 5455, 5459, 5460, 5462, 5468, 5470, 5472, 5479, 5485, 5487, 5493, 5501, 5502, 5506, 5508, 5509, 5514, 5517, 5530, 5533, 5536, 5538, 5539, 5541, 5544, 5546, 5547, 5549, 5552, 5554, 5555, 5557, 5558, 5561, 5601, 5602, 5607, 5608, 5609, 5616, 5617, 5632, 5633, 5637, 5638. 5640, 5641, 5644, 5646, 5647, 5649, 5650, 5652, 5655, 5656, 5657, 5661

Iona

The following cabins have balconies which are shaded: 

Deck 5 - balcony cabins 5320 to 5661 (excluding 5516, 5519, 5520, 5522, 5523, 5525, 5528 & 5531)

Deck 15 - balcony cabins 15514 to 15733 

Ventura

The following cabins have balconies which benefit from partial shade created by the deck above.

Lido Deck - cabins L218 to L312 and L219 to L311

Riviera Deck - All cabins on port and starboard sides have shaded balconies

A Deck - Cabins A201, A202, A205 and A206 have shaded balconies 

This example is taken from Ventura and is typical for most cabins on Lido and Rivera deck on Azura and Ventura.

Britannia 

The following cabins have balconies which benefit from partial shade created by the deck above.

Lido Deck - Cabins L201 to L255 

A Deck - Cabins A302 to A722 and cabins A301 to A723 have shaded balconies.

B deck - Cabins B726, B724, B723 and B725

Following Britannia's refit in October 2019 all aft balcony cabins on deck A & B now have a glass canopy above. (Image below)

The following grades of cabin have a bath as well as a shower. All other grades of cabin have a shower only.

Arcadia - B1, B2, B4, CA, CB CE, EA, EB, EC, ED, EF, LB, LC, LF, NB or NC grades

Aurora - A1, B1, B2, B5, CB, CD, EA, EB, ED, EE, GA, GB, GC, GD, GE, GF, KB, KD, LB, LC, LD, LE or LF grades

Azura - A1, B2, B4, B5**, BE, DA, DB, DD or DE grades

Britannia - B1, B2, B4, B5, DA, DB & DC grades

Iona - B4, B5 & B6 grades

Ventura - A1, B2, B4, B5**, BE, DA, DB, DD or DE grades

Separate Shower & Bath

In the below grades, you will find a separate bath and shower.

Arcadia - B & C grades

Aurora - A & B grades

Azura - A & B grades

Britannia - A & B grades

Iona - B grades

Ventura - A & B grades

Exceptions

**B5 grades on Azura & Ventura - Cabins L106 & L107 have a shower over the bath.

Further Information

If you require more information regarding your bath or shower, please see the cabin notes on the deck plan.

For more information on cabin grades, please see "What do the letters mean when referring to a grade of accommodation?"

To make a booking on any cruise for any of these or any other grade of cabin, please visit our Find & Book page, call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details, or speak with your preferred ABTA bonded travel agent.

Adapted/accessible cabins are available on all ships across the fleet, allowing full-time wheelchair users easy access to all the facilities within the cabin.

Arcadia, Iona and Arvia feature several partially adapted cabins, which have wider door widths and a wheelchair accessible wet room (roll in bathroom). Partially adapted cabins may not have sufficient manoeuvring space within the cabin and bathroom. Partially adapted cabins are not suitable for passengers who are fully confined to a wheelchair.

 All adapted cabins and partially adapted cabins are shower only. Please note that on Iona PB, PC and PF adapted grades are partially adapted cabins. On Arvia PB, PC, PD, PE and PF adapted grades are partially adapted cabins. These are standard cabins that have accessible elements and are suitable to guests bringing non-motorised upright assistive mobility device and who do not require the use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices.

Arcadia

Arcadia features a number of partially adapted cabins which have wider door widths and a wheelchair accessible wet room (roll in bathroom). Partially adapted cabins may not have sufficient manoeuvring space, within the cabin and bathroom. Therefore, partially adapted cabins are not suitable for passengers who are fully confined to a wheelchair.

Partially adapted cabins on Arcadia are:

C1, C2, C194, C203, E95, E96, G11, G12, G74, G81, G82 and G100. C2 has a support pillar near the doorways  - this may prove to be difficult to navigate around if you are confined to a wheelchair.

Arvia and Iona

All PB, PC and PF grade 'accessible cabins' are partially accessible. This means that they are standard cabins that have accessible elements, e.g. adapted bathroom with flush threshold and grab rails, and are suitable to guests bringing non-motorised upright assistive mobility device (rollators, walking stick or frames as examples) and who do not require the use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices whilst inside the cabin. 

Partially adapted cabins on Iona are:

10327, 10331, 15322, 15323, 15326, 15327, 16326, 16327, 16330, 16331, 8327,8331,9326, 9327, 9330, 9331, 9222, 9223, 9228 and 9229

Partially adapted cabins on Arvia are:

10327, 10331, 15322, 15323, 15326, 15327, 16326, 16327, 16330, 16331, 8327, 8331, 11743, 11744, 12742, 9743, 9748, 9222, 9223, 9228 and 9229

Guests can bring a small device into these cabins (See below), as the inside ADA cabins are long and narrow in shape, this means the available floor space within these cabins is limited, making it difficult to manoeuvre, turn and store larger mobility aids.

A guide to smaller mobility aids:  

 

We would advise that a smaller device is less than 100cm in length and less than 60/65cm in width (see cabin door width and gap at end and side of bed) when in use and can fold down as one piece (no removable parts) to less than 50cm so that it can be stored safely within the cabin, away from cabin door for emergency exit reasons, these are maximum dimensions. If guests are intending to use the device in the cabin, again the turning circle needs to be considered as the available floor space is limited. If in any doubt please reach out to the Guest Support, Accessibility Team to discuss further.

 

 

Walking frames (providing width is within 50cm), walking sticks, rollators are also all examples of smaller mobility aids as well as some makes and models of electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters (these will need to be checked).

 

 

Please note for any motorised equipment the batteries should be dry, gel or lithium cell.

 

All of our accessible cabins feature wide doorways into the cabin and bathroom, (minimum 80cm) as well as sufficient floor space for wheelchair manoeuvrability. All accessible balcony cabins feature ramped access to the balcony. The bathroom in all accessible cabins are a wet room style shower room with a flush threshold into the cabin and grab rails for shower and toilet, as well as a pull down or fixed shower seat.

For further information on a specific cabin number i.e location of grab rails please call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details.

On Arcadia, please note the accessible balcony cabins have limited manoeuvring space within the cabin and wet room, particularly when passing by the foot of the bed. The balcony doors in Arcadia's accessible cabins are heavy and opened manually, they require the help from a travelling companion, especially in adverse weather conditions. 

Standard UK three pin plug sockets are used on all ships across the fleet. Shaver points are also located in the bathrooms.

Britannia shaver sockets have US 2 pin sockets (which require an adaptor) to be able to use a UK 3 pin plug.

The standard electrical supply in the United Kingdom is 50HZ (cycles) and 240V.

The supply on board is:
Arcadia - 220V / 110V / 60HZ 
Aurora - 220V / 60HZ
Azura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ
Britannia - 230V / 120V / 60HZ
Iona - 230V / 60HZ
Ventura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ

The above voltage is sufficient to charge electrical equipment such as laptops and cameras. 

Arcadia

Please find pictures taken from a balcony cabin on-board Arcadia:

the picture below is of the plug socket in the bathroom on Arcadia, which can be switched over to be either 240v or 115v:

Location of plug sockets

Typical location of plug sockets on all ships are:

Bathroom Shaver 1 x socket (Multiple - 110 & 220v) 
By the dresser table and near the telephone X 2 sockets (220v / 240v)
By the TV near the bed x 3 sockets (110v)
By the TV near the sofa x 2 sockets (110v)
By the tea tray set-up and near the fridge x 1 socket (220v) 

Iona will have sockets on dressing table (number varies on cabin type) and one adjacent to the bed (not in single cabins). There will also be USB ports by each lower bed. Shaving sockets on Iona are only available in Suites. 

Britannia

Around the cabin 4/5 sockets - 230V
Dresser table 1 socket - 125V
Bathroom shaver socket - 120V / 230V

There are some variations on this depending on the ship and type of cabin. 

Yes, you will find a kettle, cups, saucers and teaspoons as well as teabags, various coffee sachets, sugar and milk in your cabin. This will be stocked up when necessary by your cabin steward. Complimentary tea and coffee is also available from the buffet area. 

A full description of facilities in your cabin can be viewed in the question What facilities are in my cabin?

Please find below the approximate cot sizes used on board:

When assembled, the dimensions are: (L) 103cm , (W) 72cm , (D) 79.5cm
When folded away, the dimensions are: (L) 25cm , (W) 25cm , (D) 79.5cm
They weigh approximately 8kgs.

This is an upper berth taken from Azura and is typical of upper berths throughout the fleet.

Arcadia & Aurora: The upper berths fold up in to a recess in the ceiling.

Azura, Ventura & Britannia: There are both types of upper berths - some will fold up against the wall and some rise into a ceiling recess. 

Britannia: All the balcony cabins have upper pullmans which pull down from the ceiling. All inside cabins have hinged pullmans which fold up against the wall.

Iona: The pullmans come down from the ceiling in the Sea View cabins, and from the wall in the Inside cabins. All 4 berth cabins on Iona can be made up as either a twin bed or a double bed.

Please note that where berths rise into a recess, they still extend approximately 9cms from the deck head (ceiling) when not in use.

Cabin shown above is an inside cabin, size approximately between 137-181 square feet.

Family Suites

These images are taken from Ventura's BE grade family suite and are similar to the family suites on Azura.

The first four people occupying this type of cabin will pay adult fares unless promotional fares are in place which would be discussed with you at time of booking.

Restrictions

There are no weight restrictions on the upper pullmans, however there is a weight restriction on the bunk ladder of 130 kg which is approximately 20 Stone.

The upper pullmans are "shock tested" to approximately 300 kg.

Any passenger can sleep in a upper pullman, please bear in mind the bed is elevated therefore a lower berth/cot may be suitable for children/babies.

You will be unable to have a queen bed configuration in the cabin if any of the upper pullmans are in use.*


*The exception to this will be Iona inside cabins where there are no safety issues when pullmans are in use. 

Yes you have the ability to order from the main restaurant menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner*.  Outside of these hours you may order from the room service menu**.

Arcadia

• In the Suite you can seat four people, they have a conversion top that turns a coffee table into a dining table.

Aurora

• In the Penthouse suite you can seat six people
• In Suites you can seat four people
  
• In the Mini-Suite you can seat two people
  

Azura

• Penthouse suite can seat four people
• Suites on Riviera deck have a balcony dining table with two recliners
  
• All other suites on B4  B5 grades have balcony dining table with four chairs

Britannia

• You are able to dine in all suites. Suites have a Tea / Coffee table

Oceana

• All six suites have a coffee table which can be raised and lowered, this is also the default dining table. We have 'table top extensions' for each of these tables which can extend the table to seat four.

Oriana

• All 8 of the suites have a dining table. These are actually coffee tables that convert to dining tables, the tables seatfour using a combination of the sofa, two armchairs and either the writing desk or dresser table chair

Ventura

• Have 26 dining tables which are conversion tops that turn a coffee table into a dining table in their regular suite cabins. These have a capacity of seating four and are only within Suites.
• They also have two permanent dining table in both penthouse suites which can seat six has seating capacity of six.

*In conjunction with the dining times as advertised in the Daily Horizon newspaper. You will not be charged on standard food items, however there will be an extra charge for drinks.

**Charges apply. Prices will be indicated on the menu available in your in-cabin directory.

No. Your on-board account is charged in sterling and this will be the amount placed against your credit card.

If you are settling your account with a non UK account, e.g. in Dollars or Euros, then your credit card company will charge a conversion rate. Please contact your card issuer for how much this would be.

Should you have a problem with a purchase, please contact Ocean Books in Romsey on 01794 830 663.

Our Medical teams on each ship closely monitor levels of illness. As soon as we see any evidence of raised levels of illness on-board, we immediately take appropriate steps depending on the nature of the illness involved. For example where Norovirus is suspected we initiate an extensive and thorough environmental sanitation programme and provide help and advice to everyone on-board. In order to prevent the spread of any such outbreaks we ask affected people to remain in their cabins while infectious and emphasise the importance of regular and thorough hand washing especially before eating. In addition you will notice that before embarking the ship or entering dining venues on-board, we ask everyone to use the hand sanitising gels provided. In some instances we also serve food in order to reduce the risk of transmission from person to person.

The exchange rate is set once a week on-board.

Further information is available in the ship's daily news paper, a copy of which will be delivered to your stateroom daily during your time on-board.

Whilst we are unable to put a limit on any on-board account prior to boarding, you are able to set a limit on any account by visiting Reception once on board.

You may set a daily or total limit and once the limit has reached, no further spending will be allowed on the card until the limit amount is changed or cleared.

Yes, we carry life jackets for all ages.

Cabins that can be viewed from the main passenger areas do have a mirrored finish applied to them to restrict visibility from outside.

However this does depend on light levels, for instance at night it may still be possible to see into the cabin from outside if the cabin lights are on.

Britannia/Azura: These are supplied by Harding Retail who stock and operate our shops on board.

Arcadia/Ventura/Aurora: These are supplied by Dufry who stock and operate the shops

Official scale models of the ships are only available to purchase on board each particular ship, so for example, should you wish to purchase a scale model of Azura, you will need to sail on Azura where you are able to purchase one. (subject to availability)

A traveller crossing the International Date Line eastbound subtracts one day or 24 hours, so that the calendar date to the west of the line is repeated after the following midnight.

Crossing the International Date Line westbound results in 24 hours being added, advancing the calendar date by one day.

The International Date Line is necessary to have a fixed, albeit arbitrary, boundary on the globe where the calendar date advances in the westbound direction.

Please see your cruise itinerary to see if and how you are affected by the International Date Line.

There is a small range of over the counter medications available from the Emporiumon-board each ship suchas Paracetamol and Sea sickness tablets. Should you require more specific medication there is a medical centre located on board.

No. We are unable to accept travellers cheques on-board.

The make-up* you can purchase in our shops on-board are:

Estee Lauder
Clinque
L'Oreal
Dior
Chanel
Touche Eclat
Revlon
Benefit

*varies by ship.

Mirbella is used in our salons for makeovers only.

Yes, this popular tour lasts approximately three hours and costs £75.00 per person (subject to change) and can be booked at reception desk on-board.

The tour is hosted by a Senior Staff member and gives guests the chance to get 'up close and personal' with departments and staff they would not normally get a chance to meet. There are various displays, information and fun events, including going down to the Engine Control Room, through the galley and theatre and up to the Bridge with many places in between (due to numbers allowed into the Engine Control Room at one time, groups may be split)

You will be required to sign a waiver form. Please note you must wear sensible footwear, cannot take photos/video and are advised to wear something warm if the weather is cold on the Mooring Deck.

The tour is completed on the bridge where, hosted by the Captain, champagne and small snacks are served.

If you are interested in joining the Behind The Scenes tour, please visit Reception to book. A confirmation letter will be sent to your cabin, inviting you to meet at a certain time and location, usually on a sea day in either a morning or afternoon slot.

The Ship's Photographer will join the group during the tour to take photos of the event. You will receive a complimentary gift including a photograph and ‘Back Of House’ tour pin badge with the opportunity to purchase additional photos from the photo gallery.

A Minimum of approximately eight people is required to run the tour, with a maximum of 16 people being accommodated. The tour is run once per cruise or twice for longer cruises or if there is popular demand. The tour may not be run on cruises shorter than 7 nights in duration.

Please note, there may be some differences between ships. Prices and gifts are subject to change. 

At the onset of an emergency all cabins are checked by the Cabin Stewards. Any passenger requiring assistance will be taken to their Muster Station by a trained Crew Member from the Passenger Assistance party via utilisation of an evacuation chair.

If you are joining the ship on a Fly Cruise and would like to have time to see the port of call on your embarkation day this is possible however, the length of time you get to look around the port of call will depend on what time your flight arrives, transfers and how long embarkation takes.  

Once you have checked in on-board you are welcome to disembark to look around the port. 

Please be aware that if your flight were to be delayed or the ship brought the muster drill forward this would need to be taken into account and will affect how much time you will have to look around the port.

Disembarkation

Guests who have their flights booked with us, have the privilege of staying on-board until nearer to their flight departure time.

You will still have access to all outlets on-board like the restaurants and bars however the shops will be closed.

You will then be picked up by organised coaches and taken to the airport. 

Guests who have made independent flight arrangements will be required to disembark the ship in accordance with your disembarkation time which will be provided a few days prior to the end of your cruise. 

If you wish to settle your account using cash then please note that there are limits on the amount of cash that can be deposited on your account, which vary by cruise length.  Please note that you will not be permitted to deposit cash as payment for any goods totalling €9,000 or more (equivalent in the ship’s currency) and these transactions must be settled using your registered card.

You still need to register a credit or debit card at check-in, even if you intend to settle your on board account in cash. Please note you will be asked to enter your 4 digit pin number for verification. 

Your on board account must be kept in credit at all times. 

Should your account no longer be in credit, any outstanding balance will be charged to your card unless further cash is provided. 

We are unable to accept:

• money transfers to the ship (other than gift credits, however these are non refundable and cannot be taken out as cash) either prior to embarkation or whilst on-board.
• personal cheques, traveller’s cheques or prepaid credit cards

Any unused cash on your account can be refunded back to you at the end of the cruise by you visiting the reception desk prior to disembarking. Any credit due to be returned to you will be clearly shown on you final statement which will be delivered to your cabin on the last night of the cruise.

Electronic cigarettes, including those which do not emit smoke, can be used in designated smoking areas only.

Although we recognise that electronic cigarettes are not covered by the UK legislation we have taken the decision to prohibit their use in all public areas and cabins in the same way as real cigarettes for the benefit of all of our guests.

Travelling to the United Arab Emirates

Please note that the use and possession of electronic cigarettes is illegal in the United Arab Emirates. If you are arriving and/or leaving the country by plane, please be advised that any electronic cigarettes will be confiscated at the airport and you may face a penalty. If you are visiting any UAE ports as part of your cruise, please do not take electronic cigarettes ashore.

For the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all of our guests, and in view of the UK legislation banning smoking in public spaces, our policy on smoking on-board our ships is as follows:

General

Smoking is not permitted in cabins, on cabin balconies or in public rooms, but will be permitted in designated areas of the open deck. E-cigarettes, including those which do not emit smoke/vapour, are permitted in designated smoking areas only. 

E-cigarettes are illegal or banned in some countries and governments are changing their laws as new research is revealed so always check where you can use them before you sail.

You may find the following question useful: Do you allow the use of electronic cigarettes in non smoking areas on your ships?

Travelling to the United Arab Emirates 

Please note that the use and possession of electronic cigarettes is illegal in the United Arab Emirates. If you are arriving and/or leaving the country by plane, please be advised that any electronic cigarettes will be confiscated at the airport and you may face a penalty. If you are visiting any UAE ports as part of your cruise, please do not take electronic cigarettes ashore.

Security will mean the protection, guarding or defence of persons, property from threats posed by crime, terrorism, or business malpractice.  It is the business of dealing with the risks presented by such threats and the creation of a response and/or defence to them.

It will encompass everything that works towards the provision of protection, guarding or defence, including intelligence gathering, research and information technology.

Cruising is a safe holiday and the company, the Captain and crew take comprehensive precautions and measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

Cruise ship security standards are strictly guided by Flag state requirements, internationally approved standards, and all individual cruise lines also have well established security policies and procedures.

Cruising is therefore recognised as a very safe form of travel and the safety and security of our ships is paramount. Our fleets are equipped with a comprehensive series of protective measures and devices which are activated in accordance with the ship’s security plan.

We are guided by government travel advisories, one of which is the United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office. We take all necessary precautions, maintain close contact with all other relevant authorities and closely monitor all aspects of security risk throughout the world.

A selection of items such as sunglasses, hats, bags, snorkels and masks (not flippers) are usually available in the on board shops.

Other essential items such as sun cream are also available.

The tap water on our ships is drinkable however, should you prefer, there is also a variety of bottled water available to buy on board.

All ships within the fleet have enough safety equipment to support all guests and crew sailing at full capacity, should the need ever arise.

On Arcadia there are:

18 life boats which can carry up to 150 people each - located on Deck 4

46 life rafts which can carry up to 35 people each - located on Decks 3

2 fast rescue craft

There is usually no more than 2016 guests and 820 crew members on board.

On Aurora, there are:

14 life boats which can carry up to 150 people each - located on Deck 8

Two MES (Maritime Evacuation System) chutes which can carry up to 430 people each located on     Deck 7

16 life rafts which can carry 37 people each. - located on Deck 7

There is usually no more than 1870 guests and 820 crew members on board.

On Azura and Ventura there are:

24 life boats which can carry 150 people each - located on Deck 8

Four MES (Maritime Evacuation System) chutes which can carry up to 430 people each located on   Deck 8

Seven life rafts which can carry up to 109 people each. - located on Deck 7

There is usually no more than 3100 guests and 1170 crew members on board Azura, usually no more than 3078 guests and 1160 crew members on board Ventura.

On Britannia there are:

Eleven life boats which can carry up to 305 people each - located on Main deck 7

Five tender life boats which can carry up to 242 people each - located on Main deck 7

Two MES stations which can carry up to 632 people each- located on Main deck 7

Nine life rafts which can carry up to 158 people each- located on Main deck 7

2 fast rescue craft

There is usually no more than 3600 guests and 1360 crew on board.

On Iona, there are:

16 life boats which can carry up to 462 people each - located on Deck 7

Two MES (Maritime Evacuation System) systems which can carry up to 612 people each located on     Deck 7

An additional 8 life rafts which can carry 153 people each - located on Deck 7

There is usually no more than 6685 guests and 1691 crew members on board.

In addition, there are enough life jackets for each guest in each cabin when operating at full capacity with additional life jackets located at or near the muster stations, plus enough life jackets for every crew member on board each ship.

In the event of an emergency, please go to your dedicated station on board. Details of how to locate your muster station are found on the back of your cabin door.

If on-board spending money is only on one booking and not the other it can not be transferred to the next cruise. It must be used on the cruise that the credit has been applied to.

For queries regarding incorrect charges, overcharges, pre authorisation holds andrequests for copies of on board account please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply), or please visit our website for contact details.

For P&O Cruises Peninsular Club discount queries please visit our website for contact details.

You will able to see where your cabin is located by viewing the appropriate deck plan.
For example, if your cabin number is A106, the 'A' relates to the deck, therefore, select the view of the deck plan on A deck.

Please see the deck plans below:

Arcadia

Aurora

Azura

Britannia

Iona

Ventura

Arvia: https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/arvia/overview#deck-plans  

You can exchange your money on-board into local currency for most ports of call. There are however certain ports when the ship is unable to carry local currency. In such cases, the ship will advise which currency is best to take ashore.

We can only accept back the currencies the we sell on-board and only in the denominations that we sell. Foreign currency can be charged to your account if you have a credit or debit card registered or if your account has sufficient cash credit to cover the transaction.

There is a daily limit on all currency transactions of £250, a weekly limit of £1250, and a limit of £5000 per 30 consecutive days respectively. A total exchange limit per cruises will apply at £10,000 regardless of cruise length. All transactions must be made against a registered credit or debit card. We are unable to accept either personal cheques or traveller’s cheques. We are unable to accept €500 notes at any time for currency exchange transactions.

Please note that, as part of the fight against terrorism, international crime and money laundering, EU regulations require all guests entering or leaving the European Union with €10,000 or more in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies or easily convertible assets – e.g. bonds, shares, traveller’s cheques etc.) to declare the sum to the customs authorities of the Member State which he/she is entering or leaving. If you are likely to need to make a declaration under this regulation please contact the HM Revenue Customs National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 (Calls cost 3.19p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge) or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk for further information on how to comply.

There are many different words used to describe sight loss and people with sight loss including: blind, sight impaired, partially sighted and visually impaired. If someone registers their sight loss with the local authority, there are two groups of terms used to refer to their sight loss: 

Severely Sight Impaired (SSI) or blind

Sight Impaired (SI) or partially sighted

What can blind people see?

Just because someone is blind, doesn't mean they can't see anything. In fact, 93 per cent of people who are registered blind or partially sighted can see something.

Guests are able to notify us that they are blind or visually impaired using the Accessibility and Medical questionnaire. Guests can request large print documents via the questionnaire, however an option to request Braille is not on the questionnaire.

Should the guest require Braille please email accessibility@carnivalukgroup.com where this will be arranged.

Braille

Safety information and tender safety information is supplied in Braille.

The ‘Horizon/Daily Programme’ is written and produced onboard and subject to constant change, so regrettably it is not available in Braille.

Braille menu’s are also available in the main dining room and some bars. These can be requested onboard.

Large print documents

Large print documents can be requested by the guest via the Accessibility and Medical questionnaire. As a minimum they should receive the following documents in large print, font size 18:  

Safety and Emergency Drill Information 

Horizon daily newspaper  

Main Dining Room and Bar Menus  

Other literature that can be produced in large print should be provided at the guests request if it is possible.  

Orientation tour

Guests can receive a brief orientation tour once they board the ship. A crew member will be able to take the guest around the ship to give the guest the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the location of key areas in relation to the position of their cabin. This can be arranged by emailing accessibility@carnivalukgroup.com prior to the cruise.

Safety

On embarkation, when the Cabin Steward is introducing themselves to a guest who is blind or visually impaired, they must verbally advise the guest of their allocated Muster Station and asked if they require assistance to locate this Muster Station.  Guests must also be verbally advised of their restaurant name, table number and table size at this time. 

In the event of an emergency on board, specially trained crew members from the Passenger Assistance Party will be sent to assist the guests in their cabin should it be required. This can be requested via the Accessibility and Medical questionnaire.

The following balconies are obstructed:

IB Grade

G330 | G331 | G332 | G333 | G334 | G335 | G401 | G402 | G403 | G404 | G405 | G406 | G407 | G408 | G409 | G410 | G411 | G412

IC Grade

G324 | G325 | G326 | G327 | G328 | G329 | G507 | G508 | G509 | G510 | G511 | G512 | G514 | G515 | G516 | G517 | G518 | G519 | G520 | G521 | G522 | G523 | G611 | G612 | G614 | G615

IE Grade

G616 | G617 | G618 | G619 | G620 | G621 | G622 | G623

JB Grade

G414 | G415 | G416 | G417 | G420 | G421 | G424 | G425 | G428 | G429 | G432 | G433 | G436 | G437 | G438 | G439 | G440 | G441 | G442 | G443 | G444 | G445 | G501 | G502 | G503 | G504 | G505 | G506

JC Grade

G226 | G227 | G228 | G229 | G230 | G231 | G301 | G302 | G303 | G304 | G305 | G306 | G307 | G308 | G309 | G310 | G311 | G312 | G314 | G315 | G318 | G319 | G322 | G323 | G524 | G525 | G526 | G528 | G529 | G530 | G531 | G5353 | G601 | G602 | G603 | G604 | G605 | G606 | G607 | G608 | G609 | G610

JE Grade

G624 | G625 | G626 | G627 | G628 | G629 | G630 | G631

The links below are typical menus offered on board our ships and the below listed restaurants can be pre-booked via My P&O Cruises or by calling our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details).

Please note, these are examples only and the menus can change regularly. We cannot guarantee that any particular menu or dish would be available on any given cruise. Where there are two example menus listed below, these menus are alternated throughout the cruise.

Applicable to all ships:

Typical Breakfast menu

Dinner menu

Chaine Dinner menu

Chef Dinner menu

Themed Dinner menu 

Celebration Dinner Menu - designed and developed by Marco Pierre White 

Vegetarian/Vegan Menu

In addition, a range of "Always Available" will also feature on every menu each day. These options include the following dishes:

Room service menus

Aurora, Azura, Britannia and Ventura Room service menu

Arcadia room service menu

Arcadia

Sindhu example 1*

Sindhu example 2*

Ocean Grill example 1*

Ocean Grill example 2*

Aurora

The Glasshouse example 1*

The Glasshouse example 2*

Glasshouse Tasting menu*

Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu*

The Beach House example 1*

The Beach House example 2*

Sindhu example 1*

Sindhu example 2*

Azura

Glasshouse example 1*

Glasshouse example 2*

Glasshouse Tasting menu*

Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu*

Sindhu example 1*

Sindhu example 2*

The Epicurean Restaurant example 1 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)

The Epicurean Restaurant example 2 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)

The Beach House example 1*

The Beach House example 2*

The Beach House - NEW MENU FROM 5 OCT 2019

Britannia

*The Limelight Club example 1

*The Limelight Club example 2

*The Limelight Club example 3

*The Limelight Club example 4

The Epicurean Restaurant example 1 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)

The Epicurean Restaurant example 2 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)

Sindhu example 1

Sindhu example 2

Glasshouse example 1

Glasshouse example 2

Glasshouse Tasting menu

Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu

The Beach House example 1*

The Beach House example 2*
*If you see multiple shows in the Limelight Club. there will be a different menu applicable to each act.

 Iona

The Olive Grove Menu example

Sindhu Menu example

The Beach House Menu example

The Epicurean and Kjartan Skjelde Taster Menu (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)

The Glass House Menu example

The Keel & Cow Menu example

The Limelight Club Menu example

Ventura

The Beach House example 1*

The Beach House example 2*
Sindhu example 1*

Sindhu example 2*

The Glasshouse example 1 *

The Glasshouse example 2 *

Glasshouse Tasting menu*

Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu*

The Epicurean Restaurant example 1* (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)

The Epicurean Restaurant example 2* (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)

* Charges apply, please see How much are the cover charges in the speciality restaurants? for details.

** Pre booking of some Select Dining venues on My P&O Cruises can be made around three months prior to embarkation. If the Select Dining venue is not available on My P&O Cruises, please book on board using My Holiday.

Late night buffet choices

On all ships, late night snacks are available from buffet restaurants between 10pm to 6am (these times may vary). The menu for these late night buffet options changes each day however, examples of options available may include: 

Self Service Sandwich Bar with a tempting range of breads, fillings, spreads or ready made paninis, a selection of homemade cakes, biscuits and pastries. 

Children's menu

A typical children's menu would consist of the following: The Restaurant staff can also provide small portions and amend the main adult menu items to suit as well. Please note, all details are subject to change. 

Via Mobile Phone

A mobile phone service is available on-board our ships while we’re out at sea (subject to connectivity). When the ship approaches port the land based mobile phone service will become available and the ship’s service will be switched off. Most mobile phone providers have agreements with the ship’s service provider (Telenor). Costs are usually higher than making an international call to or from a mobile phone.

Further details are available via "Can I use my mobile phone whilst on board?".

Via Email

Guests on board can access their own personal email account by connecting to the Guest WiFi network whilst on board, using their own mobile device/tablet/laptop, or by using a computer in the ship’s Internet Centre in the Library*. 

Accessing the internet on board incurs charges whether using the WiFi  or using the ships Computer Centres ( the costs are the same however you access it).

*Currently our Ships Internet Centre is not in use whilst our Sailing with Confidence procedures are in place. 

If you do not have a personal email address and want friends and family back home to be able to contact you, you can give them the below email addresses and we will pass the message on to you. A small charge (approximately £1) will be applied to the on board account. The email needs to include your name and cabin number within the subject line of the email.

arcadia@pocruises.com

aurora@pocruises.com

azura@pocruises.com

iona@pocruises.com

britannia@pocruises.com

ventura@pocruises.com

Contacting Crew Via Email

Please note these email addresses cannot be used to contact any crew members. If you are a friend or relative of a crew member, please contact them via their personal email account.

Via Ship's Satellite Telephone

It is very easy to call all of our ships at sea from the UK. Calls may be received any time by our reception team whether the ship is in port or at sea, as long as there is a satellite connection. Please be aware that it may take some time to locate the passenger and bring them to a phone. If the passenger is not in their cabin, a message can be taken and delivered to their cabin.

Please call:

0800 917 1584 If calling from the UK

+1732 335 3264 If calling from outside of the UK

+1877 266 1019 If calling from the US

Callers will be asked for their credit card number and the card's expiry date, along with the name of the family member or friend and their cabin number will need to be provided in order for the call to be connected. Charges will commence once the phone starts ringing. If the family member or friend is not available, a message will be taken and delivered to their cabin.

*All prices listed below are subject to change. Please check with your service provider for accurate costs.

Calls will be charged at £5* per minute no matter where the ship is in the world (when calling from the UK). Due to the demands placed upon our satellite network, calls will be limited to a maximum duration of 10 minutes.

An American Call Charge is applied in addition to the £5* per minute call charge.

You will also be required to "press the pound sign on your keypad" when entering details. For those based in the UK, the pound sign is equivalent to the hash (#) key.

In an emergency they can also contact our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details), who will contact the ship on their behalf.

If you don't have access to a credit card, then you can use the Inmarsat numbers as detailed below. These lines are charged at approximately *£7.20 per minute, however this may vary between providers so please check with your telephone provider first. The ocean code should be dialled first followed by the number(s) below:

Connection to the ship is via satellite and is therefore dependant on an available signal.

Generic Ocean Code: 00870

There may be times where the ship is not receiving a satellite signal which may result in you being unable to contact the ship for a short period.

If you experience difficulties contacting the ship, in case of emergencies, you may call our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details), where a message can be passed on. 

Via Fax

To fax the ship, please dial:

Arcadia - 02380 657558

Aurora - 02380 657563

Ventura - 02380 657547

Azura, Britania & Iona do not have a fax facility.

You may also find the following question helpful: How much does it cost to call ashore from the ship? & Can I access the internet on board?

Dress Codes By Cruise

We have two evening Dress Codes on-board all our ships; Evening Casual and Black Tie. Details of these, by cruise, can be viewed via the links below. 

We don’t want to dampen anyone’s fun, but fancy dress and novelty items or clothing are not permitted on our ships; the only exceptions to this are clothing for official P&O Cruises theme nights and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas.

Any clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language, including novelty clothing with printed images or slogans, will not be allowed on board. We reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed. This policy does not apply to children aged 17 or under.

Please note:

Details of dress codes can be obtained via My P&O Cruises.

Please note, that this information is subject to change and final details will be confirmed on-board. 

Suggested Attire for Black Tie and Evening Casual nights

Details of suggested attire for Black Tie and Evening Casual nights can be found under the question "Is there a dress code on board?"

Further Information

Further information can also be obtained via the following questions: Does the dress code apply to all areas of the ship?

Our cruises are all full board and include breakfast, lunch and dinner, meals and snacks, poolside grills, deck barbecues and 24 hour buffets. Room service breakfast and afternoon tea are also included in the price of your holiday. 

Every evening we’ll set a place for you in our main dining room and when booking – depending on your ship and fare - you can chose to dine at a set time or one that will fit around your day to day plans. We call these two options club and freedom dining.

Select Dining is our wonderfully flexible alternative dining where for a small charge you can enjoy restaurants by chef Marco Pierre White and TV’s wine expert Olly Smith. We’ve also developed a few of our own speciality experiences to whet your appetite.

Club dining

Club dining is a fixed seating plan operating on 2 sittings, either 1st sitting at 6.30pm or 2nd sitting at 8.30pm. We will reserve a table for you at the same time each evening with the same waiters and fellow diners for the duration of your cruise.

This option will not be available on board Iona.

Freedom dining

Freedom dining is a flexible style of cruise dining, where you can arrive at the restaurant at any time between 18.00 and 21.30 and ask to be seated.

There are tables sizes ranging from two to eight, which are provided on a first come, first serve basis dependant on the type of booking you have made. If the table size you require is not available, you will be given a pager that will notify you once a table becomes available. Freedom dining offers you the opportunity to be seated with different people every night on different sized tables and with different waiters serving you.

Freedom dining is available on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura. Iona operates as solely freedom dining in the Main Dining Restaurants. 

Freedom Dining will be held in the following restaurants:

Arcadia - Upper tier of Meridian Restaurant
Arvia - TBC
Aurora  – The Medina Restaurant
Azura - The Meridian Restaurant and The Peninsular Restaurant
Britannia - The Peninsular and Meridian Restaurants
Ventura - The Cinnamon Restaurant and The Saffron Restaurants

Iona - Guests on board Iona will have the opportunity to experience all of the Main Dining Restaurants during their holiday giving them the chance to enjoy Coral, Pearl, Opal and Aqua Restaurants from evening to evening.

Select Dining

Select Dining in a speciality restaurant gives you even more choice, many of which are inspired by Michelin-starred chefs such as Marco Pierre White. A Select Dining Cover charge applies in these restaurants. You may also find the question How much are the cover charges in the alternative restaurants? useful.

Other Dining Options 

There are also other dining areas which provide 24 hour service ranging from buffet food courts, pizzerias and daytime grills. In all instances, the cost of your meal is included in your fare.

You can also take advantage of room service for light bites and/or full meals. Room service is available 24 hours a day and most items incur a charge. A room service menu will be available to you in your cabin. 

Regardless of which option you choose, you are still welcome to use the Select Dining or buffet restaurants at any point during your cruise.

Fare type

Guests who book on the Select Fare may choose their dining time (except Iona, where only freedom dining is offered).

Guests on the Early Saver Fare/Late Saver will be allocated a dining time. This will be confirmed to them by a note in their cabin upon embarkation.

National and Religious dress including headdress' are allowed on-board. Depending on the amount of the face covered by the headdress, guests may be asked to unveil for a security photo at check in and passing through security check points ashore and on-board during the cruise.

Some items of national dress such as ceremonial blades or swords are not permitted and guests should check our list of prohibited items.

We encourage all children to use our fantastic children's facilities however we don't provide one-on-one support or care. If the child needs this, a parent or carer needs to be present at all times.

If your child has a disability and would like to take part in our activity programme, please ensure you provide a full account of child’s needs when registering your child as well as speaking with our Youth team to arrange a chat with our Youth manager when on board. We can then do our best to make sure they have a fun and safe holiday.

If your child has a birthday whilst on-board, please inform the Youth Manager who can be found at The Reef so they can help celebrate your child’s special day.

When it comes to dining, we lay on a special early tea (time and location will be confirmed once on board) with children’s favourites to suit younger tastes. To see the children's menu, please visit 'Can I see an example of a menu?'

If you prefer, the relaxed and informal buffet is available from early morning to late evening and has a wide selection of dishes. If you’d rather all dine together in the main restaurant, that’s great fun for families too.

Children are welcome to dine in any of the dining areas on board. Meals are not provided in the children's facilities however, snacks are provided in the playrooms.

Children’s tea

A designated children's tea will be provided in one of the restaurants on board, with parental supervision required. Full details and menus will be available on board. 

Children's tea parties take place at the following locations at the approximate times:

Azura - 17:00 - 18:30 - Venezia (Starboard side)

Arvia - TBC

Britannia -17:00 - 18:00 - The Horizon Buffet

Iona - TBC

Ventura - 17:00 - 18:30 – Waterside

The above timings/locations may change due to operational reasons.

Select Dining

Children are more than welcome to dine in our Select Dining Restaurants. Although children are welcome to dine in these restaurants, there are no child menus and no child prices. Please speak to the Restaurant Manager should your child have any special requirements.

Babies

Breast Feeding

As a family friendly organisation, we recognise the benefits of breast feeding to mothers and infants therefore breast feeding is welcome on board.

Baby / Infant Food

Please see question: Can you provide food for babies and infants?

Baby/Infant Equipment

For items such as bottle warmers, sterilisers and bed rails please see question: Can you provide baby/infant equipment?

Our family-friendly ships Azura, Britannia, Iona, Arvia and Ventura are perfect for our younger travellers. Each ship offers a dedicated children’s club, The Reef, for all ages. In addition to The Reef, a children’s tea and countless activities are all included in your holiday. Activities for Children (over the age of 2 years)*

A full programme of age-appropriate activities will be provided for 2-17 year olds in our children’s club (The Reef). It’s split into five distinct age groups so that the needs and level of play in each group can be met. There are a whole host of exciting activities organised daily by our qualified and enthusiastic DBS-checked Reef Rangers to keep children of all ages entertained safely and to ensure that they have the chance to make friends of their own age.

All activities are age-appropriate for our separate clubs and include arts and crafts, quizzes, challenges, sports and much more. There‘s also plenty of time for children to simply relax and meet people of a similar age.

In normal service we operate the Night Nursery and activities for under 2 year olds but we are currently unable to offer these services as we respond to the latest guidance. These services will resume as soon as possible.

Games Consoles:

Relevant age-appropriate games consoles such as PlayStations and fixed tablets, are located in each of the clubs.

Things to note: 

Opening times for The Reef are subject to change dependant on the itinerary of the cruise and the seasonal period. They will be clearly advertised and made available on board.

Parents/carers are required to register their children here. This link will be e-mailed to them 15 days before embarkation. Parents/carers then need to attend the registration session held on the embarkation day.

To protect the health of everyone on board, the following protocols are in place:

We are currently limiting numbers in the facility at any one time

Children will be allocated cohorts with fixed sessions they can attend throughout the cruise, therefore we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Children aged 2-4 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when using the children clubs.

In line with our new health protocols, children who are not toilet trained can participate in the children’s clubs, however parents/guardians will be contacted to attend if assistance is required.  

To make use of the youth facilities on board, you must complete a registration form for your child/ren.  This can be completed prior to your voyage by going on-line and using My P&O Cruises.

NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION

Nursery for 0-2 years

With age-appropriate toys and games, plus bespoke themed Turtle Tot activities, the Nursery offers a safe environment where your children can have great fun and meet new friends. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.

NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION

Night Nursery 2-4 years

The Night Nursery can help you can enjoy your evenings safe in the knowledge that your little ones are in good hands. Operating each night, your children can dream sweet dreams in the quiet area, and we’ll page you if they wake up.

'Splashers' for 2-4 year olds

Soft play area, outdoor play areas and fun activities such as glove puppet shows and creative play combine to make Splashers a great place for children who are at that age when they are constantly on the go.

'Surfers' for 5-8 year olds

From imaginative play to fun and games and sports challenges, our 5-8 year old guests can be kept endlessly entertained. They can enjoy outdoor play, exciting theme days, tabletop games, game consoles and active games such as parachute games.

'Scubas' for 9-12 year olds

With music, consoles and fun game shows there’s something for everyone in Scubas. The fun continues with games, quizzes and karaoke. We also organise a whole host of arts and crafts and competitions so our younger guests will never be short of something to do.

'h2o' for 13-17 year olds (This is called The Scene on Iona)

We are confident that the mix of music, game shows and quizzes will keep our teenage guests occupied for the whole holiday. For the more active, we also have table tennis and much more. 

 The exact age groupings for older children will depend on the number of children travelling on any particular cruise.

 Please note that at least one parent or guardian must remain on board with your child at all times.

 Children's clubs will be open regardless of the number of children on board except during staff training or if the occasion should arise that there are no children on board.

 Children may only participate in the club designated for their age group; it is not possible to join a club for a different age group.

 There is no additional charge for the children's clubs, however booking in advance is essential, and walk-ins will not be permitted into the children’s facility.

Infants

We do not operate a babysitting or in-cabin listening service. We also recommend that children 12 years and under must not be left alone in the cabin.

Children under the age of two cannot be signed into the supervised daytime activities.

It is important to note that we will not be providing the Night Nursery or any facilities for the under 2s at the moment due to the latest guidance.

Who looks after the children?

Our Youth team, the Reef Rangers, have extensive experience of planning and facilitating activities for 2-17 year olds, as well as having an enhanced DBS check.

Security Features

Our clubs feature secure entry systems to allow authorised entry only. Children 12 years and under are required to be checked in and out of their age-specific club by their parent or guardian or authorised adult. This means that only pre-authorised adults will be able to collect your child/ren from the club. Please make sure parents/guardians who are collecting the child have their ship ID available for inspection.

Children under the age of 18 may NOT sign out your younger children.

In Azura's Planet Bar the following themes are shown on the video wall:

Australia
Europe
Africa
India
Orient
America
Wonders Of The World
Elements

There are themed cocktails in the Planet Bar to match these themes. In Ventura's Metropolis bar, the following themes are shown on the video wall and themed cocktails are alsoavailable below: London - Pimms Cup (Pimms No 1 mixed with a refreshing ginger ale and a splash of lime)
Sydney - Australian Evenings (Baileys & Kahlua shaken with Creme de Cacao & a dash of lime)
Las Vegas - Rat Pack (A perfect Manhattan - Jim Beam, Martini dry & Rosso with a Grand Mariner twist)
Hong Kong - Sloe Boat to China (Gin, Vodka mixed with Cointreau & topped up with Orange Juice)
New York - Bronx (Gin, Martini Dry & Martini Rosso Shaken & Strained with Orange Juice)
Paris - Grand Mimosa (Champagne & Orange with a Grand Mariner Float)
Shanghai - Asian Daisy (Gin shaken with Kiwi Liqueur) The themes displayed in these bars are changed on a daily basis. Information as to which theme will be played on which night will be provided to you in the Horizon daily newspaper supplied to you on board.

Yes, on all P&O Cruises Ships there will be a Liquor and Tobacco shop that will offer a far more comprehensive range of spirits, cigarettes and tobacco than we have ever offered on a P&O Cruises ship. Not only will you be offered significant savings over UK high street pricing, but the shop will guarantee to be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops you many encounter ashore during your cruise. Internet pricing is not included in the guarantee.

Duty Free Liquor products sold via the shops will only be available to take home. You may order via the shops (detailed below) at any time throughout the cruise and orders will be available for collection at the end of your cruise (you will be given details where and when you can collect your orders).  The shops are shut when the ship is in port.

Tobacco and Cigarette products can be bought via the shops at any time and taken away immediately.

Duty free shops are located in the below locations by ship:

Azura - Emporium - Deck 6 
Arcadia - Emporium - Deck 3 
Aurora - Piccadilly Court - Deck 6
Britannia - Deck 6
Oceana - Bond Street Shops - Deck 6 
Oriana - Liquor and Tobacco Booth - Deck 7 
Ventura - Emporium - Deck 6

If you would like to purchase a bottle of spirits for in cabin consumption during your cruise you may do so by ordering via room service (also, from May 2017 we are introducing an exciting new range of chargeable items to the menu).

Intra EU Cruises (Cruises visiting only Countries within the European Union)
On intra EU voyage we are unable to sell any duty free liquor or tobacco for on board consumption or to take ashore from the shops on board. 
 
Price Guarantee 
The shops will offer a price guarantee on liquor and tobacco purchases for take ashore purposes. We guarantee the shop will be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops ashore during the voyage. You will need to be able to provide proof of the cheaper price from recognised retailers. Online price comparisons are not included. If you have already purchased on board the shop will refund you the difference back onto your on board account. If you have not yet purchased and have proof of the cheaper price ashore the shop will price match for you.

Arcadia's buffet restaurant is The Belvedere, located on Lido deck.

Aurora's buffet restaurant is The Horizon restaurant, located on Lido deck.

Azura's buffet restaurants are the Verona and the Venezia restaurants, located midships and on Lido deck.

Britannia's  buffet restaurant will be called The Horizon, located on Lido deck

Ventura's  buffet restaurant is the Waterside, located on Lido deck.

Yes, you can order beverages and food to your cabin 24 hours a day from Room Service. Prices and availability are subject to change. 

Yes, cigarettes, cigars and tobacco are available to purchase from most bar areas. We stock the following range of tobacco brands across all ships, prices available on-board*: Golden Virginia (250gm) Drum (250gm) Amber Leaf (5x50gm) Additionally, tobacco products are available from the Duty Free shop.  There are some areas of the ship where smoking is prohibited.

If you are in the mood for a continental, a full cooked British breakfast or just a cup of coffee and a pastry, you will find this and more in one of our restaurants for breakfast. 

Breakfast can be enjoyed in any of our buffet or main dining restaurants* or in your cabin. Please see What are the restaurant opening hours? for opening times and What restaurants are on each ship? for restaurant details. 

See the breakfast menu for the main dining restaurants.

Suite Passengers (excluding Conservatory / Mini Suites) 

In addition to the main or buffet restaurants, passengers travelling in a Suite (excluding Conservatory / Mini Suites ) may also take advantage of enjoying breakfast in the restaurants on-board the below ships only, at no extra charge. This is available on every cruise, regardless of the duration.

Arcadia - Sindhu

Aurora - Glasshouse

Azura - The Epicurean

Britannia - The Epicurean

Ventura - The Epicurean

Iona - Epicurean 

Please note, the Epicurean is closed as a Select Dining venue but remains open for Suite guests to enjoy their breakfast.

Family Suite Passengers

Ventura - The Epicurean

Azura - The Epicurean

See the suite guests' breakfast menu.

Please see What are the restaurant opening hours? for individual restaurant opening time.

Please book your suite breakfast to avoid disappointment.

*If you have chosen Traditional Club Dining you have the opportunity to sit at a different table to the one you dine at in the evening, with other guests or on your own. This applies to breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

We would recommend you make alternative dining arrangements for that evening to ensure you do not need to rush to dinner. 

Duty-free Liquor products sold via the shops will only be available to take home.
You may order via the shops (detailed below) at any time throughout the cruise and orders will be available for collection at the end of your cruise (you will be given details where and when you can collect your orders).

Tobacco and Cigarette products can be bought via the shops at any time and taken away immediately.

The Liquor and Tobacco shops on all P&O Cruises Ships offer a comprehensive range of spirits, cigarettes and tobacco. Not only will you be offered significant savings over UK high street pricing, but the shop will guarantee to be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops you may encounter ashore during your cruise. Internet pricing is not included in the guarantee. The shops are shut when the ship is in port.

Duty-free shops are located in the below locations by ship:
Azura - Emporium - Deck 6
Arcadia - Emporium - Deck 3
Aurora - Piccadilly Court - Deck 6
Britannia - Deck 6
Iona - The Avenue - Deck 7
Ventura - Emporium - Deck 6

If you would like to purchase a bottle of spirits for in-cabin consumption during your cruise you may do so by ordering via room service.

Intra EU Cruises (Cruises visiting only Countries within the European Union)

On an intra EU voyage we are unable to sell any duty free liquor or tobacco for on board consumption or to take ashore from the shops on board.

Please Note: The Channel Islands is not part of the EU for VAT and Excise duty purposes. Cruises calling at St Peter Port are therefore NOT Intra-EU cruises.

Price Guarantee

The shops will offer a price guarantee on liquor and tobacco purchases for take ashore purposes. We guarantee the shop will be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops ashore during the cruise. You will need to be able to provide proof of the cheaper price from recognised retailers. Online price comparisons are not included. If you have already purchased on board the shop will refund you the difference back onto your on-board account. If you have not yet purchased and have proof of the cheaper price ashore, the shop will price match for you.

Guests under the age of 18 (under 21 when in United States of America waters and in the United Arab Emirates) will not be permitted to purchase duty-free alcohol or cigarettes.

Guests may be asked to verify their age. It is prohibited to attempt to purchase alcohol for those under 18 in the shops on-board.

Please Note: The Channel Islands is not part of the EU for VAT and Excise duty purposes. Cruises calling at St Peter Port are therefore NOT Intra-EU cruises.

Please see "Can I purchase Duty Free Liquor and Tobacco on board?" for further information.

Freedom Dining is perfect if you'd rather go with the flow and be flexible as you can dine anytime from 6.00-9.30pm. Table sizes range from two to eight people, which are provided on a first come, first serve basis. At peak times, we'll give you a pager to let you know when your table is ready, so you can sit back and relax with a drink in the bar.

Freedom dining is available in the following restaurants:

• Arcadia - The Meridian Restaurant (Upper tier)
• Aurora – The Medina Restaurant 
• Azura - The Meridian and The Peninsular Restaurant
• Ventura - The Cinnamon and The Saffron Restaurant
• Britannia -The Peninsular and Meridian Restaurant
• Iona - Aqua, Coral, Pearl and Opal Restaurants
• Arvia - Zenith and Meridian Restaurants

Afternoon tea at sea is a daily treat on-board our ships. Partake in the quintessentially British tradition in the main restaurants and savour a classic selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delectable cakes, all served at your table with a choice of thirst-quenching hot drinks. For a more relaxed affair, help yourself to a casual afternoon tea at the buffet restaurants. 

The Market Café (Britannia) 

Settle into a cosy world of temptation at Market Café. With a fresh menu full of delectable treats, this luxurious haven in the heart of Britannia’s atrium offers something sweet for every palate. Market Café is home to its very own flavours of Jude’s ice cream from the award-winning, family-run dairy in Hampshire. Why not try Cherries & Clotted Cream in a decadent sundae? Tuck into tasty handmade biscuits and exquisite cakes, including gluten-free options. Fancy something a little finer? Eat like royalty with an indulgent dish from our Fine Pâtisserie range. Unwind with a Costa coffee and treat yourself to wow-factor food as you enjoy glorious views out to sea.

Afternoon Tea in our buffets (Azura, Iona, Ventura, Britannia) 

For these ships, Afternoon Tea is usually held in the Epicurean, but this venue is closed until further notice. 

Afternoon Tea at Ocean Grill (Arcadia) 

Head to The Epicurean to feast on playfully decadent delights and treat yourself to an afternoon of delicious indulgence. We’ve taken classic afternoon tea to unexpected new heights with sweet and savoury surprises, served with a wide array of speciality teas.

There are cinemas on all the P&O Cruises ships.

On Arvia, films are shown in Ocean Studios (Deck 6) - there are three separate movie cinema screens within this area. There is also a Sea Screen under the dome on the pool deck. This will show movies sometimes as well, such as movies under the stars or sing-along films.

On Ventura, films will be played in the theatres (Prom and F deck)

On Britannia, films are shown in The Studio (Deck 7)

Azura has an outdoor cinema Sea Screen (Aqua deck). Films are also shown on a screen in Malabar (Prom deck)

Arcadia has a boutique cinema, The Screening Room (Prom deck)

Ocean Studios (Deck 6) on board Iona has four screens showing the latest films and old classics.

On Aurora the cinema is called The Playhouse (D deck)

Details of which films will be shown in the cinemas can be viewed under the question "What films are shown on board?"

Show times will be detailed in the Horizon newspaper on-board.

A selection of movies can be watched in all cabins on board via the in cabin televisions with an additional wide range of movies available on demand on the Britannia, Ventura and Azura. A small charge may be applicable for some of these movies though many are free. Details of all in cabin movies will be made available to you once on board.

You’ll be able to view any bookable events via My P&O Cruises before your holiday and book Signature performances in our theatres from 14 days prior to departure. You may also book once you’re on board using the My Holiday app or booking hotline. While we will accept walk-ins if space allows, we strongly recommend pre-booking your theatre shows to guarantee a space to enjoy an evening of entertainment. 

Please refer to your daily Horizon paper when you get on board for the booking details of each event.

If a guest has Casino Credit that needs to be used but they have had cancellations due to COVID-19, they should contact Ocean Players Club via https://oceanplayersclub.com/contact/ for a new voucher to be generated.

On-board gaming

You’ll find a casino on board all our ships and all offer numerous ways to chance your hand with lady luck.

*With the addition of the Arcade on board Ventura, this falls under the jurisdiction of the casino, therefore the use on on board credit is not permitted. 

Table games

From Roulette to Three Card Poker and Blackjack, join our dealers at a hosted table and try your luck. Casino Chips can be purchased from your dealer. If you’re new to gaming, pop along during the day for a fun and complimentary lesson.

Slot machines

You’ll find a large assortment of the most popular reel and video slot machines. Simply insert your cruise card or cash into the machine to begin. If you need assistance, casino staff are on hand to help. On all ships, receive a £5 free play slot bonus for your first £20 played.  You will also earn free house beverages while you play (speak to a member of the casino team for more information).

Bingo

For some light-hearted fun, seek out the jackpot in an exciting game of bingo.  You can win one of five cash prizes at every sea day session whilst the Mega Jackpot is in play.  Bingo cards can be purchased from the Casino Cashier or at the venue.

Scratch cards

Our range of scratch cards offer the opportunity to win up to £20,000. Scratch cards can be purchased from the Casino Desk.

Virtual horse racing

Cheer your favourite filly across the line as you watch all the action unfold on the big screen. Bets can be placed with cash or charged to your on board account. 

Payment options

Casino Chips can be purchased in cash from the Casino Dealers at any table or charged to your on-board account.
Slot machines can be played with cash or by inserting your cruise card directly into the machine.
Note: All winnings must be cashed out onto your cruise card. On-board spending money cannot be used in the casino.

Location and facilities

Arcadia - F deck. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Roulette table and 1 x Blackjack tables

Arvia - Deck 7 (Parade deck), 2 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Blackjack table, and 2 x Roulette table. More information TBC

Aurora – Prom deck 7. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 1 x Blackjack table and 2 x Roulette tables

Azura – F deck. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 1 x Blackjack table, 1 x Fun 21 table and 2 x Roulette tables

Britannia - Tween deck, deck 6. 2 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Blackjack table, and 2 x Roulette table

Iona - Parade deck (Deck 7).  2 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Blackjack table, and 2 x Roulette table

Ventura - F deck. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 1 x Blackjack table, 1 x Fun 21 table and 2 x Roulette tables

Age limits

Only those over the age of 18 may use the casino facilities.

Opening times

Sea day: Slot machines; 10am until late. Tables; 12pm until late
Port day: Approximately 30 minutes after sailaway until late.
Note: The gaming facilities within the casino are only available when the ship is in international water, opening times may vary by jurisdiction.

Unused casino chips

Casino Chips must be cashed in on board. If you take chips home at the end of your cruise they will be valid next time you sail. 

If you accidentally forget to do this and take them home then please send them recorded delivery to:

Guest Support
P&O Cruises
Carnival House
100 Harbour Parade
Southampton
SO15 1ST

Please note, once received, we will carry out investigations to ensure legitimacy with a view to refunding the value to you. This may take some time, therefore it is preferable to cash in any unused chips before disembarking.

Player balance refunds

Outstanding Player Balances of £10 or greater may be refunded by cheque by contacting Guest Support. 

During days at sea, there is wide range of activities available on-board such as guest speakers, quizzes, dance lessons, fitness classes, sports tournaments, galley walk-throughs, cinema screenings, spa seminars and craft classes. Of course, you may just prefer to relax on deck with a cocktail and a book; you can do as little or as much as you choose. On port days, should you wish to stay on-board, you can still take advantage of a reduced range of activities. We cannot confirm exactly which activities will be available on your particular cruise, but there willalwaysbe plenty to do. Please refer to your daily Horizon paper when you get on-board for details.

There is a dedicated sports channel - Sport 24, which offers coverage of major sporting events. Unfortunately, due to International law we are not able to purchase the rights to show the Sky Sports channel on our ships.

Yes, there is a theatre on board each of our ships.

Arcadia – The Palladium, located on the promenade, F & G decks with 736 seats.

Arvia - Headliners Theatre, located on decks 6 & 7.

Aurora – The Curzon Theatre, located on the promenade deck with 668 seats. 

Azura – The Playhouse, located on the promenade and F deck with 788 seats. 

Britannia – Headliners Theatre, located on deck 6 & 7 with 980 seats.

Iona – Headliners Theatre, located on deck 6 & 7 with 950 seats.

Ventura – Arena Theatre, located on the promenade and F deck with 788 seats. 

General information:

Headliners Theatre Company perform incredible original shows regularly throughout each cruise. Further details of show times and how to book these performances and more can be found on My P&O Cruises and once on board, the guest portal My Holiday or Horizon newspaper.

Wheelchair spaces

Arcadia: There is wheelchair access on all of our decks to the Palladium Theatre where you can enjoy the evening entertainment. The designated area for wheelchairs is on Deck 2 along with signs for wheelchair companions. There are also signs down on the starboard and port side of Deck 1 if you feel more comfortable entering the Palladium Theatre that way.

Aurora: There is one ramp that allows access to the port and starboard side of Deck 7 with parking access for four wheelchairs and three seats on each side. These seats are labelled as reserved. Deck 6 has direct access from the port and starboard side and has 12 seats with space to fit a wheelchair next to each seat. These seats are also labelled as reserved.

Azura: There is one ramp that allows access to the port and starboard side of deck 7 with parking access for four wheelchairs and three seats on each side. Deck 6 has direct access from the port and starboard side and has 12 seats with space to fit a wheelchair next to each seat.

Britannia: Deck 7 port side and starboard there is one ramp each for parking wheelchairs and watching the show, it’s labelled as reserved for wheelchair. Deck 6 forward has 16 seats which are reserved for wheelchair users.

Iona: All entrances to the theatre have wheelchair access and there are designated wheelchair places on the front row, accessed from Deck 6 and next to the entrances on Deck 7.

Ventura: On Deck 7 there’s a centre ramp to access port side and starboard side with three wheelchair spaces either side along with three accompanying seats either side (6 wheelchairs in total). The back row has two steps to negotiate on starboard and port side - seats here are reserved for passengers with limited mobility. Deck 6 has no stairs. The end seat of each row is reserved for passengers with wheelchair companions.

Yes, you may purchase a camera from our Ship's Photographer on-board. We stock a number of Nikon cameras, the full range and costs can be obtained from the photography desk on-board.

The nightclubs will be open with brand-new live music nights for you to sit back, close your eyes and lose yourself to the beat. You will need to pre-book and can enjoy sets from our party band, PULSE, long into the evening. 

Arcadia – The Glove, situated on F deck.

Arvia - Details TBC.

Aurora – Masquerade, situated on the Promenade Deck.

Azura – Manhattan, situated on the Promenade Deck.

Britannia – The Live Lounge, situated on Deck 7.

Iona – The Club House, situated on Deck 7.

Ventura – Havana, situated on the Promenade Deck.

There is a sports channel on allships called 'Sport 24' whichoffers coverage of major sporting events including:

• FIFA World Cup Play Offs
• FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
• ATP Masters Tennis
• ATP World Tour Finals
• Augusta Masters
• Australian Open Tennis
• Bundesliga
• Euroleague Basketball
• European Rugby Champions Cup
• Motogp
• NBA
• NHL
• National Rugby League
• PGA Championship
• Premier League
• Roland Garros
• State Of Origin Series
• T20 Big Bash League
• The Open Championship
• UEFA Champions League
• UEFA Europa League
• US Open Golf
• US Open Tennis
• Wimbledon
• Winter Olympics
• Ryder Cup Golf
• 2018 FIFA World Cup

Full details of the sporting events shown on-board can be viewed via http://www.sport24-tv.com dedicated websitefor this channel which includes both a regularly updated news page and a full four week schedule so you will know exactly what sporting coverage you can expect whilst on-board. Please ensure you click on the "AT SEA" tab on the website to ensure you are seeing the correct schedule.

Please note inclusion on the list does not guarantee coverage on-board and we are not able to guarantee coverage of any specific match or event. 

Sport 24 will be shown in selected bars and lounges around each ship.

There are coffee mornings for guests travelling by themselves. These are advertised in the daily Horizon newspaper. These coffee mornings are not available 2 or 3 night cruises.

There are provisions for card games to be organised on all the P& O Cruises ships.

On cruises with seven days or more at sea, games such as bridge feature on all cruises except Azura and Ventura. Britannia offer bridge without an instructor and can be played in the Marlow suite (subject to availability). 

The Bridge classes are organised by instructors, in the morning there will be a beginner class followed by an Improverclass, both approximatelyone hour. In the afternoon a duplicate session is held. All cards and equipment are provided on board.

Tournaments will be advertised in the daily Horizonpaper, other card games can be arranged upon request.

The following games are available on each ship:

 Arcadia 

• Chess
• Scrabble
• Dominoes
• Cribbage
• Rumikub
• Various puzzles

 Aurora 

• Countdown
• Draughts
• Trivial Pursuit
• Monopoly
• Scrabble
• Mah-jong
• Chess
• Backgammon
• Various jigsaws
• Checkers

 Azura 

• Monopoly
• Rummikub
• Dart board (Brodie's pub, deck 6 F Deck)

 Britannia 

• Cribbage Set
• Game Backgammon
• Board Cludeo
• Boggle
• Catch Phrase
• Chequers
• Chess
• Connect 4
• Countdown Board Game
• Draughts
• Frustration
• Indoor Rummikub
• Jenga
• Ludo
• Mah-jong Set
• Monopoly
• Pass the Pigs
• Pictionary Party
• Playing cards
• Scrabble
• Soundtracks
• Tell Me
• Trivial Pursuit
• Uno card Game
• Who Wants to be a Millionaire
• Yahtzee Milton Bradley
• Yahtzee Score Pad

Ventura

• Scrabble
• Backgammon
• Pictionary

Full details on what treatments and services are available and costs can be viewed in the Oasis Spa brochure. In addition you may purchase spa/retreat day passes, details of which are available once on-board.

Prior to Cruise: Should you wish to amend or cancel a Spa Treatment or Services prior to your cruise you can do so by logging onto My P&O Cruises and visiting 'Your Spa Reservations' from the 'Spa' option on the menu ribbon. Cancellations can be made via My P&O Cruises up until 3 days prior to departure free of charge. If you are sailing on the Azura , Ventura or Britannia and have purchased a Spa package and wish to amend or cancel a Spa appointment prior to your cruise you can do so by contacting the Oasis Spa Package Reservation Desk via email or by telephone 0800 369 9901. If you wish to change your Spa Package (i.e from Spa Sampler to Refresh package) please call our Customer Contact Centre. Please note that refunds will be applied to the card originally used to purchase the treatment or service and you will receive confirmation of your amendment / cancellation.

On Board: Spa treatments and services can also be amended or cancelled on board, however for cancellations made at this late stage, a penalty charge may be applied. Cancellation made on board within 24 hours of your appointment will incur a 50% cancellation charge*. Please note this is subject to change.

P&O Cruises do not currently offer this service.

As a general rule, there is approximately 2 Black Tie nights during a 7 night cruise and 4 during a 14 night cruise. This can vary from cruise to cruise.  Full details will be provided to you before you travel.

The Dress Code applies to a majority of public areas after 18:00. Suggested attire for Dress Codes can be found under the question - Is there a dress code on board. 

The following venues will enforce the dress code of the evening:

Arcadia
Main Dining Restaurant, Intermezzo, The Crow's Nest, Meridian, Sindhu and Ocean Grill restaurants.

Aurora
Main Dining Restaurant,  Anderson’s, The Crow's Nest, Alexandria, Medina, Sindhu and The Glass House restaurants.

Azura
Main Dining Restaurant, Blue Bar, Planet Bar, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.

Britannia
Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow’s Nest, The Epicurean, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu and The Glass House restaurants.

Iona
Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow's Nest, Gala Lite, The Epicurian and Sindhu restaurants.

Ventura
Main Dining Restaurant, Red Bar, Metropolis, Cinnamon, Saffron, Bay Tree, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.

Details of the Dress Codes for each cruise can be found under "What will the dress code be whilst I am on board?"

Travelling in the United Arab Emirates

Modesty in clothing is to be respected in this region, so make sure you pack plenty of light and loose clothing that covers the tops of your arms and legs. We advise ladies to avoid wearing any shorts or tight-fitting clothes and to take a head covering ashore. For further information, please visit the government Foreign travel advice website for advice regarding dress-codes.

All ships can cater for the following diets;

Vegetarian

Pescatarian fish

Low /no fat

Low salt /no salt

Lactose intolerant /dairy free

Gluten /wheat free /coeliac

Low cholesterol

Diabetic

Kosher

Vegan

Should you require any of the above diets please call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details, prior to sailing.

Once on board please make yourself known to either the Headwaiter or Restauarant Manager to ensure a smooth process.

You may find the following question useful:  Can you provide a Kosher diet? 

Nut Allergies

We do cater to guests with Nut Allergies. However these guests will need to call our Personal Cruise Experts to inform us before they embark. We would strongly advise letting us know when making your booking.

We will endeavour to meet requirements but are unable to guarantee specific branded items. Meals will also have to be pre ordered the day before in some circumstances.

We do have a limited selection of nuts offered at the buffet during some meals. Many of the food items also do contain traces of nuts.

Food containing traces of nuts would be available in all venues including Bars.

Please be aware some meals at the buffet restaurant will be made with nuts as the ingredients.

Milk Options

As well as cows milk we have a variety of options available on board.

Alpro/Provamel Soya Milk (sweetened or unsweetened Long Life), Oat Milk, Goat's Milk, Lacto Free Milk, Rice Milk and Unsweetened Almond Milk are all available upon request. These are available as standard on board however please speak to a crew member to ask for these as and when you require them. 

If you require a high quantity of a particular milk, please send us an email to diets.reservations@carnivalukgroup.com at least 8 weeks* prior to departure to ensure your request can be ordered.

*Requests can still be made within 8 weeks, however this request cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability on board.

Wheat/Gluten Free Coeliac Diet

Our chefs can prepare a variety of Gluten Free meals and the Main Restaurants have Gluten Free meals denoted by the GF symbol to enable guests to make an informed choice without having to pre-order. However, guests can make a request via the Head Waiter if the guest does not find anything suitable for them from the choices highlighted 

Gluten/wheat free bread, rolls, separate sauces, gravies, crackers, cereals, pasta, biscuits, wine and beer are also available and Gluten/wheat free choices are available for afternoon tea and room service on request.  At the buffets, there is also a dedicated section for Dietary products including Gluten Free items, for guests to help themselves to at Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Kosher meals

Please see the question 'Can you provide a Kosher diet?'.

Halal Diet

There is a limited range of Halal food available upon request, please note we cannot guarantee specific items.

There is a significant difference between an allergy and intolerance:

A food intolerance is difficulty digesting certain foods and having an unpleasant physical reaction to them.

A food allergy is when the body’s immune system reacts unusually to specific foods. Although allergic reactions are often mild, they can be very serious:

Common symptoms of an allergic reaction:

Sore, red or itchy eyes

Runny or blocked nose

Swelling of the lips

Coughing, dry, itchy and swollen throat

Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath

Nausea and feeling bloated, diarrhoea and or vomiting

Itchy or a rash on the skin

When a person has a severe reaction to an allergen, this could lead to fatal anaphylactic shock.

There are 14 allergens set out by the Food Standards Agency which are:

Celery – this includes celery stalks, leaves, seeds and the root called celeriac. You can find celery in celery salt, salads, some meat products, soups and stocks.

Cereals containing gluten – wheat (such as spelt and Khorasan wheat/kamut), rye, barley and oats is often found in foods containing flour, such as some types of baking powder, batter, breadcrumbs, bread, cakes, couscous, meat products, pasta, pastry, sauces, soups and fried foods which are dusted with flour.

Crustaceans – crabs, lobster, prawns and scampi are crustaceans. Shrimp paste, often used in Thai and south east Asian curries or salads, is an ingredient to look out for.

Eggs – eggs are often found in cakes, some meat products, mayonnaise, mousses, pasta, quiche, sauces and pastries or foods brushed/glazed with egg.

Fish – you will find this in some fish sauces, pizzas, relishes, salad dressings, stock cubes and Worcestershire sauce.

Lupin – Lupin is a flower but it’s also found in flour. Lupin flour and seeds can be used in some types of bread, pastries and even pasta.

Milk – milk is a common ingredient in butter, cheese, cream, milk powders and yoghurt. It can also be found in foods brushed or glazed with milk and in powdered soups and sauces.

Molluscs – these include mussels, and snails, squid and whelks but can also be commonly found in oyster sauce or as an ingredient in fish stews.

Mustard – liquid mustard, mustard powder and mustard seed fall into this category. This ingredient can also be found in breads, curries, marinades, meat products, salad dressings, sauces and soups.

Nuts – not to be mistaken with peanuts (which are a legume and grow underground), this ingredients refers to buts which grow on trees, like cashew nuts, almonds and hazelnuts. You can find nuts in breads, biscuits, crackers, desserts, nut powders (often used in Asian curries), stir-fried dishes, ice cream, marzipan (almond paste), nut oils and sauces.

Peanuts – peanuts are actually a legume and grow underground, which is why it’s sometimes called a groundnut. Peanuts are often used as an ingredient in biscuits, cakes, curries, desserts, sauces (such as satay sauce), as well as in groundnut oil and peanut flour.

Sesame seeds – these seeds can often be found in bread (sprinkled on a burger buns), breadsticks, houmous, sesame oil and tahini. They are sometimes toasted and used in salads.

Soya – often found in bean curd, edamame beans, miso paste, textured soya protein, soya flour or tofu, soya is a staple ingredient in oriental food. It can also be found in desserts, ice cream, meat products, sauces and vegetable products.

Sulphur dioxide (sometimes know as sulphites) – this is an ingredient often used in dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes. You might also find it in meat products, soft drinks, vegetables as well as in wine and beer. If you have asthma you have a higher risk of developing a reaction to sulphur dioxide.

N.B: Latex is also going to be added to the official list at some point this year.

There is a clear distinction between a Gluten Free Diet and Ceoliac Disease:

Someone who has a gluten intolerance will suffer from short-term bloating or stomach pain if gluten is consumed.

Ceoliac disease is much more serious – it’s a condition where the small intestine becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients. It can cause a range of symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating and in severe cases can lead to hospitalisation.

What happens if we don’t get it right?

A business as large as ourselves could face fines of up to £3 million for food safety offences. We can demonstrate we are being better together through supporting our colleagues on board as much as possible by ensuring all information we receive at booking stage is recorded on Polar.

What we want you to do:

Ask the guest “are there any medical, mobility or dietary requirements such as any allergies to food that we need to be made aware of?”

If the answer is yes add the specific allergy to the SSV’s on Polar. You do not need to add this to the notes.

Polar has been updated to include all of the above allergens as well as a free type option if what the guest is advising you of is unavailable to select. It’s important to remember that when free typing you must also select ‘Contact guest, refer to Core’. This ensures the crew are aware they need to speak with the guest regarding their dietary requirement.

Please remember, that when using the free type option we are only adding information regarding intolerance and allergies not for food requests such as decafe coffee – this can be arranged through emailing the diets inbox.

There will also be a new option when selecting baby food. If a guest requires baby food for their cruise please select ‘Baby food request’ under SSV’s. This will trigger a menu to be sent to the guests where they can choose the food required. Once sent back we will ensure the information gets to the ship.

Yes, decaffeinated tea is available in the club and freedom restaurants, along with a wide selection of TeaPig decaffinated and herbal teas for purchase.

The bars serve decaffeinated coffee and decaffinated Costa coffee is available for purchase. If you require decaffeinated coffee in your cabin, this can be requested on board.

Suitable alternatives are supplied if the above is not available.

Wherever possible, fresh milk (full fat, semi skimmed and skimmed) is served. Long life milk is served when fresh milk is not available.

Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to 1 ‭litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time ‭only. Alcohol over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the ‭cruise.

Wine brought on-board may be consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants, or lounge areas, but will be ‭subject to a corkage fee of £20 per bottle, per occasion which will be charged to your on board account. Spirits or liquor brought onboard can only be consumed in guests' cabins.

Any alcoholic beverages purchased mid-cruise in ports of call cannot be consumed on-board. You will need to declare and  hand over any alcohol bought in port at the gangway. It will be stored and returned to you prior to the end of the cruise, at no charge.

If a bottle of wine/Champagne has been bought for you through P&O Cruises gifts, you will need to ensure you carry the gift card with you to avoid having the corkage charge applied to your on board account.

On eligible cruises, you are welcome to buy duty free alcohol to take home via the on-board shops. It will be stored until the end of your cruise.

Should you wish to enjoy a drink in your cabin, please refer to the in cabin directory which has a selection of spirits and wines which can be purchased by the bottle, as well as our extensively stocked mini bars in all cabins. 

Guests are expected to drink responsibly. This applies at the terminal, on-board and on-shore excursions. We reserve the right to deny access to the ship to anyone who appears to be heavily under the influence of alcohol.

Complimentary Bewley's brand coffee is available in the buffet restaurants 24 hours a day.

In addition, tea and coffee facilities can be found in your cabin. You may find the following question useful - Can I make tea and coffee in my cabin?

In addition, each ship has at least one Costa coffee bar on board which sells the Costa coffee range.

Drinks prices are very similar to those on the high street with the added advantage that we’ll bring them to you, waiter service is standard on-board!

There’s a comprehensive cocktail list and a superb selection of wines from around the world, alongside popular spirits, beers and ciders.

You can also enjoy savings with one of our Drinks Packages. Something for all tastes. 

Complimentary tea and coffee is supplied in your cabin and is refreshed regularly and is available from our buffet restaurants 24 hours a day. Complimentary drinking water and fruit juice (during breakfast hours) is also available from the buffet restaurants and room service.

Yes we do offer vegan and vegetarian wines on-board our ships, which are available to purchase on-board via your wine waiter. Unfortunately these are not available to pre-order. All wines listed are subject to change and availability. 

Costa Coffee is sold in the various coffee shops and bars on-board. Costa Ice is also available to purchase - A range of iced coffees, creamy coolers and fruit coolers are on offer to help quench your thirst in the heat of the sun. Further details on these products are available on-board.

Yes, both male and female therapists are on-board some of our ships, although majority are female.

The male therapists that we have are either hairdressers, nail technicians, fitness instructors, acupuncturists, or Medi Docs - we do not have male massage or facial therapists.

Spa treatments and services are available to book from approximately 120 days prior departure.

If you have an enquiry regarding a service or treatment you have booked please speak to our Customer Contact Centre on 0345 355 5111

Post Cruise enquiries: (including home deliveries) Please write to our Customer Services department: Customer ServicesP&O CruisesCarnival House100 Harbour ParadeSouthamptonHampshireSO15 1ST

If you wish to purchase any products from the spa after your cruise please visit www.timetospa.com

Steam Room

The steam rooms are complimentary on board Aurora. Britannia has two steam rooms on board - the one steam room outside the gym changing rooms is complimentary.

On board Arcadia, Azura, Britannia and Ventura the steam room is part of the Thermal Suite / Hydropool* area and as such, charges apply. (*Hydropool on Arcadia & Britannia only.  Endless Oasis pools on Ventura & Azura do not incur a charge).

Sauna

The sauna is complimentary on board Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, and Ventura. 

Locations:

Arcadia - Steam room located in the Thermal Suite and the Sauna located next to the Hydropool. Both are unisex facilities.

Aurora - Steam room and sauna are in the spa and are unisex facilities.

Azura - There is a unisex steam room in the Thermal Suite and separate sauna facilities located in the male and female changing rooms.

Britannia - There is a complimentary unisex steam room outside of the gym changing rooms of the spa. The Thermal Suite (charges apply) has a sauna/steam room. 

Iona -

Ventura - There are separate steam rooms and saunas in both of the male and female changing rooms. There is also a unisex steam room in the Thermal Suite.

You may also find the following question useful What facilities & services does the spa and salon offer?

Yes, though the card holder must be present at check-in. The alternative to this is to purchase on-board spending money prior to cruising.

To help you tailor your holiday just the way you like it, we’ve created three drinks packages that offer unbeatable choice and value on board. Each is available on any holiday of five nights or more and you can use your package in all the restaurants, bars and cafés on board. Packages can be pre-purchased via the 'Drinks' section of My P&O Cruises. 

The ultimate drinks package

£39.95pp per day

Say ‘yes’ to a cocktail or simply sip your ‘usual’. Enjoy fantastic value with a wide range of drinks available in the package. A Children`s Package is included free with the purchase of an Ultimate Package.  (Terms and Conditions) 

 Available to Adults.

The Non-alcoholic drinks package

£19.95pp per day

From a poolside Soft-tail to a primo Costa coffee, take your pick from a huge range of refreshing soft drinks.   (Terms and Conditions)

 Available to Adults and Children.

The Children’s drinks package

£7.95pp per day

We know how thirsty they get! Relax with unlimited selected soft drinks (also included with the Ultimate package). (Terms and Conditions)

Available to Children and Infants. 

What's included

Important to know

Packages are available to purchase pre-cruise via My P&O Cruises by clicking 'Drinks', 'Discover more', 'Add to basket'.

Drinks packages are available on cruises of five nights or more and must be purchased for every day of your cruise. 

You can buy packages at any bar on board until midnight on night two of your cruise and you can use your package in all the restaurants, bars and cafés on board.

Each adult assigned to the same cabin must purchase the same drinks package. Sharing is not permitted.

Children can have the Children's package independently of their parents. There is no requirement for adults in the same cabin to also purchase a package.

When an Ultimate Package is purchased, a free Children`s package will be offered for all the children travelling in the same cabin only (aged 17 and under*).

 Any loyalty discount will be applied when purchasing a drinks package. 

 

The reservation will only show in the 'My Orders' section for the guest who made the order, even if a guest made a reservation for multiple guests on the booking.

 

Wine Packages

Various wine packages are available and can be redeemed in any venue on board. However, please note the following:

Redemption within the main dining restaurants can easily be accommodated. Simply ask your Waiter for your bottle of choice that evening.

If you are dining in one of our Select Dining venues and wish to have a bottle of wine from your package made available to you, please let a member of the restaurant staff know and they can arrange this for you.

Regrettably, due to limited storage in some of our bars, we may not have a specific wine available in every bar. If there is a particular bar you wish to have the wine available in, please ask to speak with the Bartender to request this and they will do what they can to accommodate your request.

Alternatively, you can arrange to have your wine package delivered to your cabin. Any loyalty discount will be applied when purchasing a wine package.

For more information about bringing you own wine onboard please see Will a corkage fee apply if I bring my own alcohol on board?

Please note that these packages are non-refundable and may not be exchanged for another item, or for on board credit.

Self and Room Service

'Self Serve Wine' (by the glass) is available in the buffet restaurants on Aurora, Azura, Britannia and Ventura. Please see How does the enomatic wine system work in Ventura's Waterside buffet restaurant? for details. 

On Aurora, Azura and Britannia you can use your cruise card with the Enomatic wine systems for greater ease.

Single bottles of wine or Champagne can be pre ordered via our gift catalogue and spirits can be ordered via room service

For details of all drinks available from bars please see the question How much are drinks on board?  

Drinks prices are very similar to those on the high street with the added advantage that we’ll bring them to you, waiter service is standard on-board!

There is a comprehensive cocktail list and a superb selection of wines from around the world, alongside popular spirits, beers and ciders.

You can also enjoy savings with one of our drinks packages which are available for wine, soft drinks and coffee. Something for all tastes.

Soft Drinks &  Coffee

Soft drinks - You may also take advantage of a soft drinks package. 

Coffee - A coffee card is available to purchase that allows 10 Primo (12oz) Costa coffees (Americano, Latte,Cappuccino or Iced Coffee's) once on-board. You can purchased prior to embarkation by calling our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details) or once on-board.

A range of iced coffees, creamy coolers and iced teas to help quench your thirst in the heat of the sun from Costa Coffee. Further details will be available on-board.

Bottled Water

Bottled water can be purchased from the in cabin menu and from all bars around the ships.

In Cabin

In Cabin Spirits are available for you to purchase on-boardvia room service (also, from May 2017 we are introducing an exciting new range of chargeable items to the menu). 

Complimentary tea and coffee is supplied in your cabin and is refreshed regularly or is available from our buffet restaurants 24 hours a day.

Non Alcoholic

We offera selection of non alcoholic beverages including:

Soft drinks

Mocktails

Becks non alcoholic larger

Nonalcoholic wines

General

Complimentary drinking water and fruit juice (during breakfast hours) is also available from the buffet restaurants and room service (Also, from May 2017 we are introducing an exciting new range of chargeable items to the menu).

All of our ships are Wi-Fi enabled so you can access the internet on your own devices or via our PC terminals in the Library. Satellite internet packages are available to purchase pre cruise or once on board. Pay per day is available to purchase once on board.

You can also use your roaming partner - when near shore - or the Telenor Maritime network - when at sea. Charges for these connections will be added to your mobile bill rather than your on-board account. Please contact your normal service provider for data allowance and costs. 

New internet packages - My Wifi - More flexible. More focused. Always-on satellite internet

It’s great being able to stay in touch with loved ones back home while you’re away with us. This is why our satellite internet service is easy to access and tailored to how you like to use the internet. Please see the supporting documents below for further information on our new packages:

My Wifi FAQ

My Wifi flyer

P&O Cruises spreadsheet

Things to note:

You can use your satellite internet package on any device, but not simultaneously on multiple devices. It is not possible to wire your device into an internet connection on-board.

If you are on a back to back cruise (two or more consecutive cruises) please note that the satellite internet service may be unavailable during turnaround days when the ships changes from one cruise to the next. 

With our packages, you can upgrade any time you like. If you try to use a service from an alternative package, a prompt will appear to point you in the right direction. Then, it’s just a few clicks to upgrade, and you’re away.

You can purchase per 24 hours, for your full cruise or on a remainder of cruise basis. There is no activation fee.

How do I connect / purchase using my device on board?

1. Put your device in airplane mode (or similar)

2. Connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi: P&OCruises_Guest_WIFI

3. Visit internet.pocruises.com

4. Select your package

Free Internet for the Management of Medical Devices Onboard

Guests requesting free internet onboard to manage their diabetes with continuous glucose monitoring devices will be entitled to 1 x 120 minute Internet Voucher for each 7 days upon request from Reception onboard.

Access to email

Access to email services are available though both the Essential and Ultimate internet packages. Should your email service provider have enhanced security processes in place such as validation of your account via text, an alternative email account or a series of pre-determined questions, please familiarise yourself with these before you board to ensure ease of access once at sea.

Printing and scanning

Should you wish to print pages in the Library, this will be charged at 30 pence* per black and white page. If you require a document to be digitally scanned, please speak to reception. (*Prices are subject to change)

PC internet station opening hours and locations

The PC internet stations are open 24 hours a day. Assistance is available at various times throughout the day and evening.

PC internet stations are located in the following areas: 

Arcadia - The Library, Midships on Prom Deck

Aurora - The Library, Forward on Sun Deck

Azura - The Library, Midships on P Deck

Britannia - The Library, Forward on Lido Deck

Ventura - The Library, Midships on P Deck

VAT on internet services on-board

The charges on-board our ships are currently treated as inclusive of any VAT that is payable to the UK or other European Tax Authority.

Calling home

Most people find their mobiles work well at sea. Signal strength can vary a bit, but you should be able to do all the usual things – make and receive calls, send text messages and photos.

You will see Telenor Maritime or 90112 on your mobile’s display. This means you are using International Marine Roaming and the cost of making and receiving calls and texts will be added to your mobile bill, not your ship account.

Your service provider should be able to give you a breakdown of all charges. Please note that charges for "pay as you go" can vary to those of contract phones on the same network.
Due to the ship’s location, there may be occasions where your phone is unable to find a signal.

We are happy to offer a full 3G service on board Britannia.

Skype and video calling connections

These services are available with the Ultimate package, however please be aware that unpredictable satellite connectivity can impact the quality of the service. 

Great service comes as standard.

While tipping isn’t required or expected on board, rest assured good service and good times are all part and parcel of your P&O Cruises holiday.

On other holidays you’ll tip the waiter after a fabulous dinner, the bar staff for your tropical cocktails, housekeeping for your fresh towels and inviting beds… On a P&O Cruises holiday, you’ll enjoy the same levels of fantastic service but tipping isn’t required or expected. Instead, you can relax and soak it all up, knowing good service and good times are all simply part and parcel of your experience.

What does great service mean to you? We take thousands of guests away each year and know everyone wants something slightly different from their holiday. We take care of every little detail so you can enjoy an effortless time; free to relax, recharge and experience countless ‘this is the life’ moments. We’re proud that two out of three guests choose to holiday with us again and are committed to providing great service and exceptional holidays at no extra cost.

P&O Cruises do not charge a service charge when purchasing drinks onboard.

We have a few policies in place to ensure your time on board feels special. Here’s a useful guide to what to expect on board in terms of dress codes so you can step out in style. 

Dressing up at night is one of the many highlights of your P&O Cruises holiday. We have two evening dress codes for guests aged 18 years and over from 6pm: ‘Evening Casual’ and ‘Black Tie’ for our celebration nights.

The only exception to these are the official P&O Cruises theme nights (get ready for 70s disco, 80s pop, colourful tropical or splendid black and white nights), and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas. And if you feel like keeping things casual, you’re free to wear more relaxed clothing in the buffet.

To help you with your packing My P&O Cruises will let you know how many nights of each dress code you can expect during your holiday. Please check in advance so you’re ready for each occasion.

For a list of what the dress code will be on a specific cruise number, you may also find the following question helpful: What will the dress code be whilst I am on board? 

To see in which areas of the ship the dress code applies, please see Does the dress code apply to all areas of the ship? 

If in doubt, please visit www.pocruises.com/what-to-wear

How many Black Tie nights will there be? 

As a guide based on length of cruise:

IONA & ARVIA

2-6 nights = 1 black tie night

7 -13 nights = 1 black tie night

14 nights = 2 black tie nights

REST OF FLEET:

2-6 nights = 1 black tie night

7 -13 nights = 2 black tie nights

14 nights = 4 black tie nights

To view how many Black Tie evenings will take place on a specific cruise, and also what theme nights will be taking place, please see "What will the dress code be whilst I am on board?" for a full break down.

Full details will be provided to you before you travel.  

Evening Casual

After a busy day of exploring (or lazing by the pool), there’s plenty to look forward to on board. For Evening Casual nights, dress as you would for dinner in a nice restaurant; smart dark denim or trousers and a nice top, open-neck shirts, skirts and dresses (but no tracksuits, football shirts, shorts or trainers please). Please see below examples/ideas.

For Caribbean holidays tailored shorts may be worn in the buffet areas and open deck bars – whether you choose to pair them with your loudest Hawaiian shirt is up to you! 

Black Tie

Our Celebration Nights, or Black Tie nights, offer a chance to get dressed to the nines in glamorous evening wear. Don your favourite cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown or dinner jacket, or alternatively a dark business suit and tie. You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform.

Daywear

The dress code during the day is just your typical holiday wardrobe. Think t-shirts, shorts and sundresses (unless you’re heading to the Baltic in winter!). Away from the pool, we ask for shoes to be worn and no pool wear in the ship’s lounges, inside bars, restaurants or reception. It may be chilly on deck and breezy in the evening (even in the tropics), so be sure to pack light layers. We’d also recommend flat shoes for strolling the decks.

Army/Camouflage Clothing

It is permissible to wear such items of clothing during the daytime, however please refer to the dress codes for evenings on board.

It should also be noted that some countries may have rules against this sort of attire such as Barbados where it is illegal due to this matching the uniforms worn by security services.

Restriction to wear Camouflage Clothing
Barbados
St Kitts
Dominica
Grenada

No Restrictions to wear Camouflage clothing
Curacao
St Maarten 

National/Religious Dress

National and Religious dress including headdress' are allowed on board. Depending on the amount of the face covered by the headdress, guests may be asked to unveil for a security photo at check in and passing through security check points ashore and on board during the cruise.

Some items of national dress such as ceremonial blades or swords are not permitted and guests should check our list of prohibited items via What am I not allowed to take on board?

Children

For children aged 17 years and under, the dress code in the evening is Evening Casual, regardless of the adult dress code (but they are welcome to dress to impress too!). We do ask for no denim on Black Tie nights please.

Theme nights 

Theme nights are great fun, though it’s up to you whether you’d like to dress up. As well as our Celebration Nights, we have  70s and 80s nights, where you can come and enjoy the music, or why not throw on some fab flares or parachute pants? Our tropical nights are all about Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts and Hawaiian lei (flower necklaces). Black and white nights follow the same dress code as Black Tie nights (cocktail dresses, tuxedos, ball gowns and dinner jackets). You could even opt for an all-black or all-white ensemble.

If you decide not to dress in line with the theme, please follow the ship's general dress code for that evening (detailed on the front cover of your daily Horizon).

Fancy dress and novelty clothing

We don’t want to dampen anyone’s fun, but fancy dress and novelty items or clothing are not permitted on our ships; the only exceptions to this are clothing for official P&O Cruises theme nights and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas.

Any clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language, including novelty clothing with printed images or slogans, will not be allowed on board. We reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed. This policy does not apply to children aged 17 or under.

Travelling to the United Arab Emirates

Modesty in clothing is to be respected in this region, so make sure you pack plenty of light and loose clothing that covers the tops of your arms and legs. We advise ladies to avoid wearing any shorts or tight-fitting clothes and to take a head covering ashore.

For further information, please visit the government Foreign travel advice website for advice regarding dress-codes.

Alcohol policy

We believe that responsible drinking is a valued and enjoyable part of a cruise. However, we ask that our policy for the responsible consumption of alcohol is adhered to at all times. We reserve the right to deny access to the ship to anyone who appears to be heavily under the influence of alcohol. We may also confiscate alcohol in the terminal and at the gangway. 

Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit, or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time only. Alcohol over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20* per bottle, per occasion which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account. 

Coming into effect on 1 February 2018, and for all cruises sailing after this date, any alcoholic beverages purchased mid-cruise in ports of call cannot be consumed on board. Guests will need to declare and hand over any alcohol bought in port at the gangway. It will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise, at no charge. 

If a bottle of wine/Champagne has been bought for a guest through P&O Cruises gifts, guests will need to ensure they carry the gift card with them to avoid having the corkage charge applied to their on-board account. 

On eligible cruises, guests are welcome to buy duty free alcohol to take home via the on-board shops. It will be stored until the end of their cruise. 

Should guests wish to enjoy a drink in their cabin, they will be able to refer to the in-cabin directory which has a selection of spirits and wines which can be purchased by the bottle, as well as our extensively-stocked mini bars in all cabins. 

The consumption and enjoyment of alcohol in a public area will always be subject to our responsible drinking policy. Bar staff may refuse service if a guest appears to be inebriated. Any offensive or unruly behaviour may result in individuals or the whole group being asked to leave the venue. Dangerous or violent behaviour is not acceptable and may result in individual guests or whole parties having their holiday terminated and having to make their way home at their own cost. Anyone under the age of 18 (under 21 when in United States of America waters) will not be served alcoholic beverages on board and must not be in possession of alcohol. Please don’t be offended if we ask you to verify your age. 

It is prohibited to attempt to purchase alcohol for those under 18 in the bars and shops on board, although 16 and 17 year olds may be bought modest amounts of beer, cider or wine to drink with a meal in the restaurants when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

*Price subject to change.

We do not encourage food and drink to be brought on board, as we would like to think that all your culinary desires are more than adequately catered for on our ships.

We recognise that there may be particular favourites or special dietary requirements that you may need to enjoy a holiday.

In limited circumstances we would allow you to bring food and beverages on board but please note the following:

Perishables are not permitted: although there are fridges in cabins these are not temperature monitored and we cannot guarantee that they will keep foods at the correct temperature for safety.

All items must be strictly for personal consumption, kept wrapped or sealed and not allowed to create any risk to health or likelihood of pest infestation in cabins or any other areas.

Personal items may not be cooked for you on board, stored in the main stores or in any food room refrigerator or freezer.

There is a limit to the amount of alcohol you can bring on board.   For further information on bringing and consuming alcohol on board, please also view the question - Can I bring alcohol on board to consume in my cabin or in restaurants? and Can I consume my duty free purchase in my cabin and around the ship?

Select Dining is wonderfully flexible, allowing you a change of scene and the opportunity to dine with different people. These are bookable either before you sail on My P&O Cruises, or once you arrive on board via My Holiday. If the Select Dining venue shows 'Please enquire on board', this means that it is not pre-bookable. 

All prices are subject to change and are per person, per occasion dining in a Select Dining restaurant. Although children are welcome to dine in these restaurants, there are no child menus and no child prices.

Please note: Select Dining venues can be very popular restaurants with a high demand for bookings. If you feel you may be unable to meet your dinner reservation, please notify us at least 12 hours before the time of your booking, to avoid the cancellation charge. A cancellation charge will not be applied if transferring to a different time / date.

Arcadia

Ocean Grill - View example menus - additional supplements apply to selected dishes 
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £22.95
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £17.95
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £15.00

Sindhu at East- View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £17.50

Aurora

The Glass House - View example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required.

*The Beach House - View example menus - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50 

 * there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu

Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £17.50

Azura

The Epicurean at Seventeen - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £30.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £28.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £28.00


The Glass House - View example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required

*The Beach House - View example menus No booking required - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50 

 * there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu

Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £20.00

Britannia

The Epicurean Restaurant - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £30.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £28.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £28.00

Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £20.00

*The Beach House - View example menus No booking required - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50 

 * there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu

The Limelight Club (adult only) - View example menus
Dinner - if pre-booking, prices from £25.00 - £28 (price dependent on act) - up to £35 if booking on board (price dependent on act)

The Glass House - View example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required

Market Cafe
Day Menu - All items are individually priced. No booking required

Iona

Sindhu - View example menus
A La Carte - All items are individually priced.
Starters from £5.50
Mains from £9.00
Desserts from £3.50

The Beach House - View example menus
Cover charge from £7.50

The Glass House - View example menus
A La Carte all day dining - All items are individually priced.
Starters from £2.75
Mains from £8.00
Dessert from £4.50

The Epicurean - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
Cover charge from £28

The Limelight Club - View example menus
Dinner - if pre-booking, prices from £25 - £28 (price dependent on act) - up to £35 if booking on board (price dependent on act)

The Keel & Cow - View example menus
A La Care all day dining - All items are individually priced.
Starters from £4.00
Mains from £5.50
Desserts from £3.00

The Olive Grove - View example menus
Charges apply to selected dishes:
Middle Eastern Beef Kota Hanging Kebab - £4.50
Fritto Misto - £4.50
Seafood, Chicken and Chorizo Paella - £4.50
Slow-cooked Moroccan Lamb Tagine - £4.50
French Fries - £1.00 (Parmesan Cheese or Truffle Oil for an extra £0.50)
Handcrafted Turkish Baklava £2.00

Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea - View example menus
Cover charge from £17.50

Local Food Hero Taster Menu - Kjarten Skjelde
Cover charge from £30

Ventura

The Epicurean at The White Room - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £30.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £28.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £28.00

*The Beach House - View example menus   No booking required - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50

 * there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu

Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £20.00

The Glass House - example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required

You may find the following questions useful, What restaurants are on each ship? and What is included in the fare?

The safety and security of our ships is paramount and, as such, you are prohibited from carrying certain items onto our vessels. Security screening of you and your baggage will be conducted each time you board the ship, and if you are found in possession of any of these items, they may be permanently confiscated. This list is not exhaustive and any other items may be refused at the discretion of either the Port or Ship security staff.

The following items (this is not an exhaustive list) will not be permitted on-board:

Any illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic and designer drugs

Medical marijuana (including CBD oil)

All firearms including replicas, imitations and their components

Air, BB or pellet pistols or rifles

Any other projectile-weapon (e.g., paint ball guns)

All ammunition

All explosives, including imitation explosives and devices

Fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics

Sharp pointed weapons including throwing stars

Knives with a blade longer than 2.75 inches / 7cm, any blade length that is prohibited by local laws/regulation and all concealed bladed weapons such as belt buckle knives, cane and umbrella knives/swords, pen knives, credit card knives, etc

Open razors or scissors with a blade longer than 2.75 inches / 7cm

Skean Dhus or Kirpans

Spears or spear guns

Crossbows, crossbow bolts and long bow arrows

Blunt weapons including knuckle dusters, brass knuckles, clubs, coshes, batons, flails or nunchaku

Items containing incapacitating substances (e.g. gas guns, tear gas sprays, mace, phosphorus, acid and  other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable)

Flammable substances and hazardous chemicals

Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon

Stun devices

Items not supplied by the Company containing any kind of heating element, such as but not limited to: immersion heaters, heating blankets, clothes irons, electric steamers, water heaters, coffee machines with heating / hot plates, etc.

Any remotely controlled or autonomously flying devices, toys or drones

 

Self-balancing hover boards, air wheels, electric bicycles/scooters, or Segways (except those provided by the Company for shore excursions and for use onshore by guests with a disability as a mobility device) 

Compressed gas tanks, bottles, cylinders including dive tanks, propane tanks and aerosol cans

 

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), ham radios, communication scanners, hand-held radios, wide-band receivers, satellite phones, transformers, lasers and laser pointers

Inflatables – with the exception of children’s swimming aids

Fancy dress, novelty clothing and clothing personalised with images or slogans, effective from 1 January 2018. (This policy does not apply to children 16 years and under.) The only exception to this is official P&O Cruises theme nights, where guests are invited to dress up in line with the theme.

Medical gas bottles are allowed in connection with a certified medical condition but cannot be packed in baggage.  Oxygen cylinders must be delivered to the pursers’ office and stored in a designated safe area

Any items or amounts of currency prohibited by customs regulations

Balloons - As part of our Ocean's Alive programme and our continued commitment to do everything we can to help protect our environment and wild/marine life, we no longer use or allow balloons of any kind on board Carnival UK ships

Loyalty points are awarded when you have completed a cruise.

Once you have spent at least 15 nights on board (150 points), you automatically become a member and enter at the Pacific Tier. When you join us for your next cruise, you will be entitled to Pacific Tier benefits.

As points are awarded at the end of a cruise, you cannot move up a tier mid-cruise. Instead, you will enjoy

the additional benefits when you join us for your next cruise.

To continue to enjoy Baltic or Ligurian privileges, in the 3 years prior to the departure date of your next cruise, you must have spent at least 80 nights on board for Baltic, and at least 201 for Ligurian. 

See the Travel Insurance section of the P&O Cruises brochure. Or, for more information call 0800 316 3061, quoting reference WC668, along with your membership number.

Yes. Purchase shore excursions prior to the start of your cruise, and the applicable on-board spend discount will reflect the tier that you are predicted to be in on the date of embarkation, not on the date of purchase. The discount on shore excursions that are paid for pre-cruise is not dependent on your spending of allocated non-refundable on-board credit. For a World Cruise, purchase shore excursions prior to the start of your cruise, and the applicable on-board spend discount will reflect the tier that you are predicted to be in at the start of the segment in which the activity is taken, and not the date of embarkation.

P&O Cruises offers the very best in cruise entertainment. Days can be filled with as much or as little as you want, whilst evenings are no doubt the social highlight.

With a range of activities and entertainment taking place throughout the day, you’ll struggle to fit everything in. From dazzling West-End style performances in the ship's theatres to comedy and live music, piano recitals and tribute bands. Cinema and film screenings, dance classes, pub quizzes, sports tournaments, cookery demonstrations and even special interest seminars you’ll be spoilt for choice. You’ll also find traditional card and table games, along with the latest slot machines in our casinos and if you are in the mood for dancing, head for one of our themed nightclubs with where the bars are well stocked with your favourite refreshments.

Of course, some days you just want to relax with a good book and do nothing at all. On these days you’ll find plenty of comfortable sun lounges outside and soft chairs inside to simply relax and do nothing at all.

Families will love the flexibility of The Reef children’s clubs, which offer safe havens for teens and little ones alike.

Our family-friendly cruise ships, Azura, Britannia and Ventura, are packed with lots of exciting features that will definitely tick all your boxes. Each family friendly ship offers dedicated clubs for all ages from morning till late evening. In addition to the clubs a night nursery, children’s tea, discos and activities are all included in your fare!

The P&O Cruises exciting free on-board programme for 2 – 17 year olds is called The Reef. Split into four distinct age groups so that the needs and level of play in each group can be met. There are a whole host of exciting activities organised daily by our qualified and enthusiastic DBS-checked Reef Rangers, to keep children of all ages entertained safely throughout the day and evening and to ensure that they have the chance to make friends of their own age. In Addition to The Reef, we have a Night Nursery for children aged between 6 months and 4 years of age.

Our family-friendly ships Azura, Britannia, Iona, Arvia and Ventura are perfect for our younger travellers. Each ship offers a dedicated children’s club, The Reef, for all ages. In addition to The Reef, a children’s tea and countless activities are all included in your holiday. Activities for Children (over the age of 2 years)*

A full programme of age-appropriate activities will be provided for 2-17 year olds in our children’s club (The Reef). It’s split into five distinct age groups so that the needs and level of play in each group can be met. There are a whole host of exciting activities organised daily by our qualified and enthusiastic DBS-checked Reef Rangers to keep children of all ages entertained safely and to ensure that they have the chance to make friends of their own age.

All activities are age-appropriate for our separate clubs and include arts and crafts, quizzes, challenges, sports and much more. There‘s also plenty of time for children to simply relax and meet people of a similar age.

In normal service we operate the Night Nursery and activities for under 2 year olds but we are currently unable to offer these services as we respond to the latest guidance. These services will resume as soon as possible.

Games Consoles:

Relevant age-appropriate games consoles such as PlayStations and fixed tablets, are located in each of the clubs.

Things to note: 

Opening times for The Reef are subject to change dependant on the itinerary of the cruise and the seasonal period. They will be clearly advertised and made available on board.

Parents/carers are required to register their children here. This link will be e-mailed to them 15 days before embarkation. Parents/carers then need to attend the registration session held on the embarkation day.

To protect the health of everyone on board, the following protocols are in place:

We are currently limiting numbers in the facility at any one time

Children will be allocated cohorts with fixed sessions they can attend throughout the cruise, therefore we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Children aged 2-4 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when using the children clubs.

In line with our new health protocols, children who are not toilet trained can participate in the children’s clubs, however parents/guardians will be contacted to attend if assistance is required.  

To make use of the youth facilities on board, you must complete a registration form for your child/ren.  This can be completed prior to your voyage by going on-line and using My P&O Cruises.

NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION

Nursery for 0-2 years

With age-appropriate toys and games, plus bespoke themed Turtle Tot activities, the Nursery offers a safe environment where your children can have great fun and meet new friends. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.

NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION

Night Nursery 2-4 years

The Night Nursery can help you can enjoy your evenings safe in the knowledge that your little ones are in good hands. Operating each night, your children can dream sweet dreams in the quiet area, and we’ll page you if they wake up.

'Splashers' for 2-4 year olds

Soft play area, outdoor play areas and fun activities such as glove puppet shows and creative play combine to make Splashers a great place for children who are at that age when they are constantly on the go.

'Surfers' for 5-8 year olds

From imaginative play to fun and games and sports challenges, our 5-8 year old guests can be kept endlessly entertained. They can enjoy outdoor play, exciting theme days, tabletop games, game consoles and active games such as parachute games.

'Scubas' for 9-12 year olds

With music, consoles and fun game shows there’s something for everyone in Scubas. The fun continues with games, quizzes and karaoke. We also organise a whole host of arts and crafts and competitions so our younger guests will never be short of something to do.

'h2o' for 13-17 year olds (This is called The Scene on Iona)

We are confident that the mix of music, game shows and quizzes will keep our teenage guests occupied for the whole holiday. For the more active, we also have table tennis and much more. 

 The exact age groupings for older children will depend on the number of children travelling on any particular cruise.

 Please note that at least one parent or guardian must remain on board with your child at all times.

 Children's clubs will be open regardless of the number of children on board except during staff training or if the occasion should arise that there are no children on board.

 Children may only participate in the club designated for their age group; it is not possible to join a club for a different age group.

 There is no additional charge for the children's clubs, however booking in advance is essential, and walk-ins will not be permitted into the children’s facility.

Infants

We do not operate a babysitting or in-cabin listening service. We also recommend that children 12 years and under must not be left alone in the cabin.

Children under the age of two cannot be signed into the supervised daytime activities.

It is important to note that we will not be providing the Night Nursery or any facilities for the under 2s at the moment due to the latest guidance.

Who looks after the children?

Our Youth team, the Reef Rangers, have extensive experience of planning and facilitating activities for 2-17 year olds, as well as having an enhanced DBS check.

Security Features

Our clubs feature secure entry systems to allow authorised entry only. Children 12 years and under are required to be checked in and out of their age-specific club by their parent or guardian or authorised adult. This means that only pre-authorised adults will be able to collect your child/ren from the club. Please make sure parents/guardians who are collecting the child have their ship ID available for inspection.

Children under the age of 18 may NOT sign out your younger children.

We encourage all children to use our fantastic children's facilities however we don't provide one-on-one support or care. If your child needs this, a parent or carer needs to be present at all times.

If your child has a disability and would like to take part in our activity programme, speak with our Youth Team to arrange a chat with our Youth Manager. We can then do our best to make sure they have a fun and safe holiday.

Our Youth team, the Reef Rangers (this name applies specifically to P&O Cruises), have extensive experience of planning and facilitating activities for 2-17 year olds, as well as having an enhanced DBS check.

Opening hours are subject to change dependant on the itinerary of the cruise, ship and the seasonal period. They will be clearly advertised and made available on board, please see Horizon newspaper.

Booking in advance is essential, and walk-ins will not be permitted into the children’s facility. 

When it comes to dining we lay on a special early tea (time and location will be confirmed once on board) with children’s favourites to suit younger tastes. If you prefer the relaxed, informal buffet is available from early morning to late evening and has a wide selection of dishes. Or if you’d rather all dine together in the Freedom and Club dining restaurant, that’s great fun for families too.

Our clubs feature secure entry systems to allow authorised entry only. Children 12 years and under are required to be checked in and out of their age-specific club by on of their registered carers. This means that only pre-authorised adults will be able to collect your child/ren from the club. Please make sure parents/guardians who are collecting the child have their ship ID available for inspection.

Children under the age of 18 may NOT sign out your younger children.

In line with our new health protocols, children who are not toilet trained can participate in the children’s clubs, however parents/guardians will be contacted to return if assistance is required. Children are welcome to use the family-friendly pools, however due to public health regulations, children in nappies, swim nappies, pull-ups and those who are not completely toilet-trained are only permitted to use designated pools. 

Children under the age of 16 must not be left unaccompanied on the ship whilst the ship is in port. There is no facility offered on board to look after your children if you go ashore. All children under the age of 16 must have an adult, 18 or above, accompanying them whilst on board.

To make use of our children’s clubs, you must register your child/ren. You can do this before your holiday using My P&O Cruises. 

If you’ve never been on a cruise before, you’re in for a treat. With round-the-clock entertainment, a vast range of mouth-watering menus, relaxing pools and wellness facilities to experience on one of our holidays… you’ll be spoilt for choice every single day. Here are just some of the many activities you can expect to enjoy:  

• Spectacular entertainment

Show-stopping theatre performances, live bands, comedians, movies on the big screen, quizzes, casino nights, guest talks, optional activities and so much more is on offer.

·       Pools and relaxation

Each ship has several pools of varying sizes and depths, plus a number of whirlpool spas. Some are even covered by a retractable glass roof.

• Outdoor sports

Have a game of football or table tennis, practice your swing in the golf nets and stretch your legs on the sports deck, promenade or – on selected ships – the jogging track.

• Sumptuous food throughout the day

From classic British recipes with a contemporary twist to a world of exotic flavours, there’s so much to choose from – and so much is included in the price of your holiday.

• Spa experiences

Unwind with a massage or rejuvenate in a hydrotherapy pool. With soothing spa facilities waiting for you on our ships, you can take restoration and relaxation to a whole new level.

• Gym

Get energised in your ship’s state-of-the-art gym, equipped with Technogym machines including bikes, treadmills, cross trainers and steppers, as well as free weights.

• Children’s clubs

With four separate clubs for different age groups on each of our family-friendly ships, there’s a whole range of activities for children, from arts and crafts to discos and games consoles.
 

And on top of all that, you get to sail past breathtaking scenery and explore a range of diverse places that you’d be hard-pressed to see with a land-based holiday. With so much variety on a P&O Cruises holiday, every moment brings something new. We believe you won’t find a holiday anywhere else that can offer you the breadth of destinations, the scale of adventure, the range of experiences and the calibre of dining and entertainment (did we forget to mention accommodation?) for the same price.

Casino - Entry into the Casino is limited to guests over the age of 18, regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by a parent/guardian. (21 years whilst in US waters).                        

Swimming pools  - On some of the ships there will be designated pools for the use of adults only. All children using the pools must be toilet trained. There are certain pools where children who wear swimming nappies can use. The pools on board are unsupervised and children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. 

Whirlpools - The whirlpools on-board are not to be used by children aged 8 and under, and children aged 8-16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian                       

Gym, Saunas and Steam Rooms - Saunas and steam rooms have restrictions to those under the age of 16.

Children under 14 years are not permitted to use the gym, sauna and steam room.

Children aged 14-16 years must be accompanied by a guardian over the age of 18 when using these facilities and may only use the cardio equipment in the gym.

The Retreat - On-board Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura is reserved for adults only and therefore entry is only allowed for those aged 18 years and over.

Nightclubs - When in operation, children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the venues designated for the adult night club.       

Other - Children may be required to have adult supervision whilst using certain rooms, further information on this can be provided when on-board. 

There may be time restrictions when children are no longer allowed in certain areas such as bars after midnight. These times and locations will be notified to you once on-board.

Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to use the lifts unless accompanied by an adult.

Restricted areas (ship specific): 

Azura

The Planet bar is for guests over the age of 18 after 10pm.
All other venues are family friendly.

Britannia

Headliners Theatre - Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Live Lounge - Is strictly reserved for those over 16 years unless accompanied by a parent/ or adult guardian at family events and suitable entertainment.
All restaurants - Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
All Bars - Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Limelight Club - Is strictly reserved for those over 16 years. Children aged 16 and 17 years must be accompanied by a parent/ or adult guardian

Iona 

There is a section in the In Cabin TV called 'FAQ's - Travelling as a Family' which notifies guests of the venues which children are not permitted to use:

The 710 Club - reserved for adults only

The Limelight Club - reserved for adults only

There is a Late Night Comedy show once a cruise in The Club House at 11.30pm which is advertised as having adult material so wouldn't be suitable for our younger guests.

Under 16 years must be accompanied in all bars.
Under 13 years must be accompanied in all venues.

All swimming pools are family friendly and the Splash Zone and Panorama Pool (Deck 18) aft are for the use of children in swim nappies (this is despite the sign that says otherwise - the sign can’t be removed due to USPH requirements when sailing within American waters).

Ventura

Metropolis bar is for passengers over the age of 18 after 10pm.
All other venues are family friendly. However, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Look above you... there’s your data. Travelling 44,000 miles to space and back again. Given the distances, transmission will be slower than at home and can occasionally be impacted by weather or the ship’s position. We do our best to keep everyone moving by closely monitoring and managing the connections but, please remember, speed will vary and intensive activities like streaming content may not always work and are excluded from certain plans.

Here’s why: at home, internet signals travel through cables to transmit information. At sea, these same signals must travel thousands of miles to satellites that beam the information back to land. Given the distances involved, there will be some latency or delay between when information is requested and delivered. Additionally, satellite internet may intermittently experience blockage or an instance where the internet antenna on the ship may not have a direct view to a satellite due to a large object such as those beautiful mountains over there...

It’s easy! Almost any device that can connect to Wi-Fi can be used on board our ships. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for you to follow:

1. Put your device in airplane mode (or similar)

2. Connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi: P&OCruises_Guest_WIFI

3. Visit internet.pocruises.com

4. Select your package

There could be several reasons why your device does not connect.

First, make sure your Wi-Fi is switched on; if not, please do so. Next, look for our Guest Wi-Fi network and connect to it. Although we try to ensure complete coverage throughout the ship, including cabins, there are some areas of low/no coverage due to the complexity of the ship’s internal architecture. We recommend that you test your connection in a public area like the atrium. If this does not help, try restarting your device and logging in again. If you continue to experience difficulties, please speak to Reception for assistance.

If you are feeling technical, you can also double check your network and IP address settings. If correctly connected to our Guest Wi-Fi network, the device IP address should start with: 10.26.___.___. The following settings are typical for most devices:

1. DHCP setting is enabled (to automatically pick up an IP address from our system)

2. No static IP address, Netmask, Gateway or DNS is set

3. No proxy server is set in your browser.

The above is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation for alterations to your device. We cannot support you in any changes you may choose to make to your device. We would strongly recommend you make a note of all original settings prior to any changes you may decide to make.

Various reasons can contribute to login failures, but the main reason is credentials (surname, cabin number, cruise card, or date of birth) that do not match those in our system. Please ensure that the credential information used at login is correct; remember the Cruise Card field requires the last four numbers printed under the barcode.

If you continue to experience difficulties, please speak to Reception for assistance.

Various reasons can contribute to login failures, but the main reason is credentials (surname, cabin number, cruise card, or date of birth) that do not match those in our system. Please ensure that the credential information used at login is correct; remember the Cruise Card field requires the last four numbers printed under the barcode.

If you continue to experience difficulties, please speak to Reception for assistance.

You may use multiple devices on one package but can only use a single device at any one time. If you wish to use multiple devices simultaneously, you will need to buy additional packages. To switch to a different device, make sure it is connected to the Guest Wi-Fi network. Type internet.pocruises.com on the browser tab of the device you are trying to connect with and enter your username and password. A new page will appear. Click on the 'Disconnect other device' button and start surfing the internet using this new device.

An alternative method is to type ‘logout.com’ into the address bar of the browser of the connected device. A logout confirmation page will appear. At that point, connect the new device to the Guest Wi-Fi network and launch the browser.

If you are not logged in on any other device and you still can’t connect, please visit Reception and they will assist you.

For basic assistance using the service our team at Reception will be able to help.

Our team is available to assist with common issues concerning connecting to the on-board satellite-based internet service. We cannot troubleshoot or repair your device for advanced issues.

On some ships we have PCs that are available for general use in the Library. You may purchase an internet plan at these PCs or use a plan that you have already purchased.

On some ships we have a self-service internet café in the Library with PCs that you can use for no charge. We also offer limited printing facilities for boarding passes etc.

No; My Holiday is free to use and does not require you to purchase an internet package. Make sure your Wi-Fi is switched on and connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi: P&OCruises_Guest_WIFI

Open your internet browser and visit myholiday.pocruises.com or scan the QR code found on advertisements in your cabin or at Reception.

We offer two plans and two pricing options within each, so that you can choose to go online on your terms:

My Wi-Fi ULTIMATE

This is your ultimate way to stay in touch throughout your holiday or on

the days you choose. Select the cruise plan option, paying just once for quality satellite access to email, video chat, browsing, social media and streaming of your favourite movies and music, every day of your holiday from the moment you purchase. Or pay per day for the same access options, on the days that suit you best.

My Wi-Fi ULTIMATE - £20/day with cruise plan or £15/day

• Everything from the Essential plan

• + Full Streaming

• + Up to 3x faster connection

My Wi-Fi ESSENTIAL

This is the straightforward option that offers you all your satellite internet essentials. It’s ideal if you want to stay in touch via email and social media. And you’ll also be able to stream your favourite music playlists as well as share your holiday highlights via text and images. Select the cruise plan option to stay connected every day of your holiday from the moment you purchase or opt to pay per day... it’s entirely your choice.

My Wi-Fi ESSENTIAL - £15/day with cruise plan or £10/day

• Social media text and images (no video)

• Web browsing

• Email

• Music streaming

Yes, some websites and categories of websites are blocked either due to their content or due to their consumption of large amounts of bandwidth (such as video streaming). Examples of the kinds of websites that may be blocked have been listed below for reference:

• Adult content
• Alcohol and tobacco
• Anonymisers
• Drug abuse
• File sharing
• Malware
• Nudity
• Online gambling
• Streaming hacking
• Phishing
• Proxy avoidance
• Violent content

In addition, some internet services such as Wi-Fi (VoIP) calling, remote desktop connections and VPNs may not be available. Some email applications will not work without significant alterations to provider account or device settings. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide support for those alterations. Most email providers offer web-based access, and these will work in most cases.

Some websites may require authentication via a mobile phone if you’re using an unknown connection (e.g., Hotmail) or have set up two-factor authentication on your account.

Depending on your plan, there may also be certain additional limitations on what you can access; for more details see ‘What plan should I choose?’

When logging back into the internet, you will be given the choice to upgrade to a plan (where applicable, click the ‘Upgrade my plan’ button). The upgrade will take effect the moment you purchase it and will show as a separate item on your on-board account.

Please note: if you upgrade a daily plan, it does not extend the amount of time the plan lasts (you will still have 24 hours from when you first activated your original plan). If you desire additional assistance, please visit Reception.

Due to the nature of satellite internet connection on a moving ship, it is possible that interference, partial or full blockage, or bad weather will cause temporary interruptions to our service. If this happens, try to reload the page once as these time-outs can be brief; however, if the interruption is for a longer period you may wish to try again later.

In any event, if you are accessing the internet with a personal device, we recommend you switch off any background applications and disable any automatic updates on your device.

Should you feel that none of the pages you request are accessible, please contact Reception for assistance.

Yes. Internet access will be available right up until you leave the ship, but printing services will not be available on the morning of disembarkation, so please ensure you complete all your printing the day before.

Internet billing is integrated with your on-board account. Once you log in and pick a plan, the amount will be billed automatically through your account.

Yes; you can purchase the cruise package at any point during the cruise, meaning you will purchase internet for all remaining days at the reduced rate.

No; you will not be charged by your phone company for connecting to

our Wi-Fi. However, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are not using the mobile signal or data from your service provider. Often, your mobile phone provider will text you if you are on ‘roaming’ to alert you of fees you may incur.

You can turn off the mobile data service by going into your device settings and turning on the airplane mode. Depending on your device, airplane mode may initially shut down your Wi-Fi connection when turned on, but you should be able to turn Wi-Fi back on separately (look for the airplane and Wi-Fi signals showing together). P&O Cruises is not responsible for charges incurred via your mobile phone service provider.

To use a voucher, log in to the system as normal. At the bottom of the plan selection page will be a field marked ‘Voucher’. Enter your six-character voucher code and click the ‘Activate’ button

Note: you only need to activate the voucher once. Once activated you only need to log in and then select your active plan.

If you have any trouble redeeming your voucher, please check the following:

• If you currently have an active purchased plan, it will have to expire before you may activate your voucher.

• You may have one active voucher at once per folio.

• If you have an active voucher you will not be able to purchase an additional plan until the voucher expires.

On Arcadia you can run or jog on "The Promenade" deck 3.

On Arvia there is a jogging track on the Panorama deck, deck 18.

On Aurora you can walk on "The Promenade" deck 7 and jog on deck 13.

On Azura you can run or jog on "The Promenade" deck 7.   

On Britannia you can run or jog on "The Sports" deck 18.

On Iona there is a jogging track on the Panorama deck, deck 18.

On Ventura you can run or jog on "The Promenade" deck 7. 

 All of the above locations are available for running or walking between set times for consideration of other passengers. Further details will be published on board.

Alternatively you may use the gym on-board, information can be found under Is there a spa and gym on board?

On Arcadia the Promenade Deck is approximately 530 meters.  To walk a mile you need to walk 3 laps. Jogging around this deck is acceptable, however please be mindful of other guests using this deck. 

On Aurora the Promenade Deck is approximately 460 meters.  To walk a mile you need to walk 3.5 laps.

On Azura the Promenade Deck is approximately 414 meters, however, does not have a complete wrap around the ship, to walk a mile you need to walk just little under 4 lengths of the deck.  

On Britannia you would need to walk 7 laps of the deck to equal a mile.

On Iona you would need to walk 7 laps of the deck to equal a mile.

On Ventura one lap of the Promenade Deck is approximately 460 meters.  To walk a mile you need to complete 3.5 laps. 

Arcadia

The Crows Nest has a circular dance floor which measures approximately 136 square metres.
The dance floor in the Globe measures 81 square metres.
Dancing also takes place in an area of The Retreat (size to be confirmed).

Aurora

In Carmen's, the approximate size of the dance floor is 80 square metres.

Azura

The Atrium where dancing may take place measures 31 square metres.
In Manhattan, the dance floor measures 95 square metres.
In Malabar, the dance floor has an area of 76 square metres.

Britannia

The Crystal Rooms dance floor is 4m x 7m.

Ventura

The Atrium where dancing may take place measures 31 square metres.
Havana has a dance floor of approximately 95 square metres.
Tamarind has a dance floor measuring approximately 76 square metres

Details of dance lessons available can be found via "What activities are available on board?"

The film list is provided on a monthly basis. 

Britannia (29th May-26th June) 

• The Father (2020)
• The Last Duel (2021)
•  Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
•  Falling for Figaro (2020)
•  Nightmare Alley (2021) 
• House of Gucci (2021)
• Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
•  The Mitchells Vs The Machines  (2021)
•  A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
•  The King's Man (2021)
•  West Side Story (2021) 
•  Best Sellers (2021)
•  Heart of Champions (2021) 
•  Bergman Island 
•  Death on the Nile (2022)
•  13 Minutes (2021)
•  The Lost City (2022)
•  Moonfall (2022)
•  Fatherhood (2021)
•  Encanto (2021)
•  King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon
•  Belfast (2021)
•  Marry Me (2022)
•  Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
•  Sing 2 (2021)
• Queen's Jubilee: A Tale of two sisters: Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret
• Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
•  Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
•  Premier: The Batman (2022)
•  Uncharted (2022)
•  Turning Red (2022)
•  The Duke (2020)
•  The Last Bus (2021)
• The Desperate Hour (2021)

Iona (4th June- 2nd July)

• The Last Duel (2021)
•  The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
• House of Gucci (2021)
•  Fatherhood (2021)
•  Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
•  The King's Man (2021)
•  West Side Story (2021) 
•  Death on the Nile (2022)
•  Encanto (2021)
•  Belfast (2021)
•  Marry Me (2022)
•  The Lost City (2022)
•  Moonfall (2022)
• Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
•  Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
• Wimbledon: King Richard
•  Premier: The Batman (2022)
•  Uncharted (2022)
•  Turning Red (2022)

Ventura (4th June - 5th July)

• The Father (2020)
• The Last Duel (2021)
•  Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
•  Nightmare Alley (2021) 
•  Falling for Figaro (2020)
•  Heart of Champions (2021) 
• House of Gucci (2021)
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
•  A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
• Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
•  Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
•  Best Sellers (2021)
•  The King's Man (2021)
•  West Side Story (2021) 
•  Bergman Island 
•  Death on the Nile (2022)
•  13 Minutes (2021)
•  Encanto (2021)
•  King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon
•  Belfast (2021)
•  Marry Me (2022)
•  Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
•  Sing 2 (2021)
•  The Lost City (2022)
•  Moonfall (2022)
•  Fatherhood (2021)
• Queen's Jubilee: A Tale of two sisters: Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret
•  Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
•  Premier: The Batman (2022)
•  The Outfit (2022)
•  Uncharted (2022)
•  Turning Red (2022)
•  The Duke (2020)
•  The Last Bus (2021)
• The Desperate Hour (2021)

Azura (2nd June - 30th June)

• The Father (2020)
• The Last Duel (2021)
•  The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
•  Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
• The Last Duel (2021)
•  The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
•  Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
•  Nightmare Alley (2021) 
• Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
•  Eternals (2021)
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
• House of Gucci (2021)
•  A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
•  Encanto (2021)
•  Belfast (2021)
•  Sing 2 (2021)
•  Marry Me (2022)
•  Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
•  King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon 
•  The Lost City (2022)
•  Moonfall (2022)
•  Fatherhood (2021)
•  Heart of Champions (2021) 
•  The King's Man (2021)
•  Falling for Figaro (2020)
•  West Side Story (2021) 
•  Bergman Island 
•  Death on the Nile (2022)
•  13 Minutes (2021)
• Queen's Jubilee: A Tale of two sisters: Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret
• Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
•  Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
•  Premier: The Batman (2022)
•  Uncharted (2022)
•  Turning Red (2022)
•  The Duke (2020)
•  The Last Bus (2021)
• The Desperate Hour (2021)

Arcadia (1st June - 5th July) 

• Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
•  Cruella  (2021) 
• No Time to Die (2021)
• House of Gucci (2021)
•  Nightmare Alley (2021) 
•  Heart of Champions (2021) 
• The Father (2020)
•  King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon
•  Belfast (2021)
•  Marry Me (2022)
•  Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
•  The Lost City (2022)
•  Moonfall (2022)
•  A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
•  Fatherhood (2021)
•  The King's Man (2021)
•  West Side Story (2021) 
•  Best Sellers (2021)
•  Bergman Island 
•  Death on the Nile (2022)
•  13 Minutes (2021)
•  The Batman (2022)
•  The Outfit (2022)
•  Uncharted (2022)
•  The Duke (2020)
•  The Last Bus (2021)
• The Desperate Hour (2021)

P&O Cruises' daily activity programme, The Horizon, keeps our guests on board up to date on what is happening during their cruise. This includes where and when shore experiences are departing from, opening times for the bars and restaurants, the entertainment for the day/night and much more.

The Horizon is issued in English and is delivered each evening to every guest's cabin.

Please note, guests are unable to place a personal message in The Horizon.

Click here to view an example of The Horizon.

On-board Account

For your convenience all of our ships operate a ‘cash free’ environment with everything priced in pounds sterling. To make any purchases on-board you just need to present your cruise card. Our ships do not accept cash, except at the Reception desk for purchase of foreign currency and the settlement of your account. In order for charges to be posted on to your account you will need to register your credit card or Visa/MasterCard Debit card at check-in. All transactions will be charged to your account in pound sterling.

Registering a Payment Card

You may register your credit card as part of online check in. If you do not check in online, the check-in team will ask you for your credit or debit payment card and you will be asked to enter your 4 digit pin number to verify the card. At this point, a £50 pre-authorisation will be applied to ensure your account is live and has available funds. Only once your on-board account totals more than the pre-authorised amount, plus any on-board credit, will your card be authorised further on board. 

We accept Mastercard (Credit, Debit), Visa (Credit, Debit and Electron), American Express, Discover and Diners Club cards. We do not accept Solo, Switch and Maestro, JCB or pre-paid cards.  Even if you wish to settle your on-board account with cash at the end of your cruise, a payment card must still be registered at embarkation.

Children and On Board Accounts

All guests are issued with a cruise card, including children. Cruise cards provide access to your cabin and also operate as a card to charge purchases to your on board account.

It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure they are aware of what their children charge to their account. If a guest under the age of 18 years old tries to purchase age restricted products, the swiped card will flag up the age of the guest and the transaction will be not be processed. 

Settling your on-board Account with Cash

You may choose to settle your account with cash however, a payment card must still be registered. If using cash your account must be kept in credit at all times.

If you wish to settle your account this way, you can deposit cash with the Reception Desk once on board (note you will not be able to use your account until a deposit is made).

Please also note that there are limits on the amount of cash that can be deposited on your account at any one time, which vary by cruise length. You will not be permitted to deposit cash as payment for any goods totalling €9,000 or more (equivalent in the ship’s currency) and these transactions must be settled using your registered card

Settling your on-board Account by Card

If you have a credit card or Visa/MasterCard Debit card registered all you need to do is to check your final statement on the morning of disembarkation. If you are happy with your account you need take no further action. The final amount will be settled to your registered credit or debit card. If you do have any queries you should raise these with the Reception prior to your departure from the ship. You have the ability to charge items to your account on the day of disembarkation until you finally leave the ship – these charges will show as a second settlement on your credit or debit card statement.

If you are doing a back to back cruise you will be charged your on-board spend at the end of each cruise separately.

Please note, If your cruise is longer than 28 days your account will be settled in the middle of your cruise and at the end. You need to ensure you have sufficient funds to settle your account.

Electronic Fund Transfer

We are unable to accept this payment type at this time.

Avoiding Issues with your Credit or Debit Card/Holding Charges

Your card provider, as part of their standard procedures, may retain these authorisations for up to 28 days and this is outside the control of P&O Cruises. Until these authorisations are released, the available funds in the account could be affected. Payment is not taken from your account until it is finally settled on the day of disembarkation. You may therefore wish to contact your card provider on your return to release these authorisations. Prior to leaving for your cruise it is recommended that you advise your credit or debit card provider of your trip away and that you will be on-board a ship and visiting different countries. This will help avoid raising a security alert and your card being declined

What dining options are available on board?

Our cruises are all full board and include breakfast, lunch and dinner, meals and snacks, poolside grills, deck barbecues and 24 hour buffets. Room service breakfast and afternoon tea are also included in the price of your holiday. 

Every evening we’ll set a place for you in our main dining room and when booking – depending on your ship and fare - you can chose to dine at a set time or one that will fit around your day to day plans. We call these two options club and freedom dining.

Select Dining is our wonderfully flexible alternative dining where for a small charge you can enjoy restaurants by chef Marco Pierre White and TV’s wine expert Olly Smith. We’ve also developed a few of our own speciality experiences to whet your appetite.

Club dining

Club dining is a fixed seating plan operating on 2 sittings, either 1st sitting at 6.30pm or 2nd sitting at 8.30pm. We will reserve a table for you at the same time each evening with the same waiters and fellow diners for the duration of your cruise.

This option will not be available on board Iona.

Freedom dining

Freedom dining is a flexible style of cruise dining, where you can arrive at the restaurant at any time between 18.00 and 21.30 and ask to be seated.

There are tables sizes ranging from two to eight, which are provided on a first come, first serve basis dependant on the type of booking you have made. If the table size you require is not available, you will be given a pager that will notify you once a table becomes available. Freedom dining offers you the opportunity to be seated with different people every night on different sized tables and with different waiters serving you.

Freedom dining is available on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura. Iona operates as solely freedom dining in the Main Dining Restaurants. 

Freedom Dining will be held in the following restaurants:

Arcadia - Upper tier of Meridian Restaurant
Arvia - TBC
Aurora  – The Medina Restaurant
Azura - The Meridian Restaurant and The Peninsular Restaurant
Britannia - The Peninsular and Meridian Restaurants
Ventura - The Cinnamon Restaurant and The Saffron Restaurants

Iona - Guests on board Iona will have the opportunity to experience all of the Main Dining Restaurants during their holiday giving them the chance to enjoy Coral, Pearl, Opal and Aqua Restaurants from evening to evening.

Select Dining

Select Dining in a speciality restaurant gives you even more choice, many of which are inspired by Michelin-starred chefs such as Marco Pierre White. A Select Dining Cover charge applies in these restaurants. You may also find the question How much are the cover charges in the alternative restaurants? useful.

Other Dining Options 

There are also other dining areas which provide 24 hour service ranging from buffet food courts, pizzerias and daytime grills. In all instances, the cost of your meal is included in your fare.

You can also take advantage of room service for light bites and/or full meals. Room service is available 24 hours a day and most items incur a charge. A room service menu will be available to you in your cabin. 

Regardless of which option you choose, you are still welcome to use the Select Dining or buffet restaurants at any point during your cruise.

Fare type

Guests who book on the Select Fare may choose their dining time (except Iona, where only freedom dining is offered).

Guests on the Early Saver Fare/Late Saver will be allocated a dining time. This will be confirmed to them by a note in their cabin upon embarkation.

Club Dining

Dining requests, such as a request for a window table or table for two, can be added as part of the booking process via CompleteCruiseSolution.com. Dining request can be added on the 'Create Booking' screen from 'Table Request' drop down on the 'Dining and Bedding' section.

If you are adding a request after the booking has been made, select 'Manage Booking' enter the booking reference, then select 'Booking Information' you can then select a dining request from the 'Table Request' drop down box.

All requests should be added on Polar Online, no additional requests can be made outside of Polar Online. 

Freedom Dining

Please note that dining requests cannot be added to bookings confirmed on Freedom dining, this is because the time of table number the guests will dine at each night will change. Guests should make any requests known to their Restaurant Manager whilst on board.

Early Saver, Late Saver & Other Promotional Fares

Dining requests for bookings made on Late Saver and other promotional fares cannot be made. 

Dining as a Group

A TWID code can be added to all fare types for guests wishing to dine together, however, please advise guests we cannot guarantee these requests. In addition we cannot guarantee that linked bookings will be allocated the same dining choice and/or time or that cabins are in close proximity of each other.

Our Welcome on Board party has had to undergo a few temporary changes to keep you all safe as you soirée. So, whilst there’s not currently a party in the atrium, we’d be delighted if you’d raise a complimentary glass to the occasion as the Captain addresses the whole ship from The Bridge. This will signal the start of a night of spectacular dining and dazzling entertainment.

Please also see 'Who will the Captain be on my cruise?'

Whether you’re a whizz in the kitchen or a complete beginner, The Cookery Club has a whole menu of classes to tempt you. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get hands-on in our state-of-the-art kitchen, being guided by our talented team of friendly, professional chefs.

You could even learn from the godfather of British cooking himself, Marco Pierre White! Marco’s innovative five course Celebration Dinner menus are a treat for all and as the patron of The Cookery Club on Britannia, Marco hosts masterclasses and dinners when on board, bringing his spirit to the whole experience. Fancy a trip ashore with Marco? Look out for his selected shore excursions.

Marco has developed a whole range of new masterclasses and hosted dinners. Even when he’s not with us, you can still learn to cook and present Marco’s dishes, as our chefs host Unmistakably Marco Classes and Unmistakably Marco Dinners to give you the inside track on his recipes and techniques. Cooking done, it’s time to tuck in and enjoy the delicious food you’ve created. 

Marco's Hosted Masterclass

Step into The Cookery Club for the ultimate culinary experience. After welcoming you to his two hour masterclass held exclusively on Britannia, Marco will be your guide as you learn to cook restaurant-quality food. What better way to master Marco's techniques than by trying them out first-hand, overseen by the man himself? Dishes cooked and served, it's time to tuck in and enjoy them together. You can book this once-in-a-lifetime experience once you are on board via My Holiday, but places are limited to an intimate 24 per class.

Marco's Hosted Dinner

What's better than having your dinner cooked by culinary legend Marco Pierre White? How about tucking into that dinner with Marco and, over a few glasses of good wine, enjoying tales from his glittering career? The godfather of British cooking will prepare three courses as you gather round to watch as he works. Once you're seated, you'll enjoy delicious dishes, lively conversation and a selection of wines chosen to compliment each course. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for foodies and fans of the world-famous chef. You can book this once-in-a-lifetime experience once you are on board via My Holiday, but places are limited.

Each Cookery Club class can cater for 24 guests and everyone works in pairs, so feel free to come on your own as you’ll always find a partner. The best bit – there’s no preparation or washing up to do. It’s all done for you. It’s an experience not to be missed – but book early as places are limited.

Classes in The Cookery Club start from £45 (*prices subject to change) and our Food Heroes' masterclasses start from £100 with hosted dinners starting at £150. You will be able to book this through My Holiday once on board. Currently, bookings cannot be made via My P&O Cruises.

There will be on average 19 classes per two week cruise, both on Sea days (09:30 – 12:00 and 15:30 – 17:00 classes) and Port days (15:30 – 17:00 class).

You may find the following question useful - When will the Food Heroes and Celebrity Chefs be on board?

Family classes

The Family class is specifically designed so that parents can cook along with their children (aged between 8 and 17). Each adult booked on the family class may bring one child at no extra cost. This class is available during the main school holidays. An age restriction applies to all other classes not entitled "the Family class", for details please see below. 

Cookery classes

Classes will be taught by The Cookery Club Team 

Classes are approximately 2 hours long and start with a brief background and history of food and cooking methods behind the class, a run through the dishes you will be making followed by a safety briefing

You will be cooking at a workstation designed for two** people and the classes have been designed to work in pairs so that it is a fun, sociable session and to make it less intimidating for those less confident in the kitchen

At the end of the classes passengers will be able to enjoy the delicious dishes around our Chefs' Table

All of the hassle is taken out of cooking, with all ingredients weighed out and all equipment to hand for fun, stress free cooking

Dishes will be demonstrated by the chef, step by step and then you will cook the dish in pairs, under the guidance of the Cookery Club Team

**if booking by yourself or as an uneven numbered group you will be paired up.

A selection of classes from the Cookery Club.

We have a whole menu of classes, led by our head of The Cookery Club. Inspired by the destinations we visit, you could tackle Thai street food, cook up A taste of the Caribbean or recreate Indian favourites from Sindhu. Perhaps you’d like to unravel the flavours of Morocco and the Middle East? Or maybe Great bakes or Breadmaking appeal more? Whatever gets your mouth watering, these hands-on classes are fun and inspiring, with our friendly, expert chefs to guide you. Pair up with a partner to do the cooking, then all sit down together to enjoy your delicious dishes. There’s no boring prep or washing up to do. Naturally, you’ll have a set of recipe cards to take away, so you can do it all again in your own kitchen. You can book via My Holiday once on board, but hurry – places are strictly limited.

Below are a few examples to show you the wide variety of 30+ classes available in the Cookery Club. 

Thai street food
Learn how to cook authentic street food from Thailand and create divine dishes, full of subtle flavours.

A taste of the Caribbean
Discover how to create the distinctive flavours of the Caribbean as you rustle up these classic dishes.
l Jerk chicken, rice and peas
l Caramelised rum and coconut bananas

Indian favourites from Sindhu
Learn from the experts as they take you on a journey of perfectly balanced spices, delicate flavours and wonderful aromas.

Chocolate

The ultimate class for chocolate lovers – create three mouth-watering, cocoa-laden delights.
l Chocolate honeycomb bites
l Triple chocolate fudge brownies
l Dark chocolate liqueur truffles

Breadmaking

Discover the recipes and techniques for turning out bread baked to perfection, time after time.
l Olive, rosemary and sundried tomato focaccia
l Cheese and chilli cornbread
l Honey, hazelnut and raisin bread

Mexican and Brazilian street food
South American food at its finger-licking best! Get hands-on and learn to create tasty dishes perfect for sharing.

Family Classes

Holidays are all about sharing quality time with our loved ones, and never has this been so important than today, with our increasingly busy lifestyles. The Family class is designed for you and the children to enjoy some time together, and get hands on in the kitchen as you learn some ideal family dishes. The Cookery Club team will lead this interactive class, helping you and the children to make everything from scratch and have plenty of fun along the way! This is a great opportunity to ignite a passion for food in your little ones, and create some lovely holiday memories to boot.

Please note that each adult booked onto the Family class can bring along one child between the ages of 8 and 17 for no extra cost!

Sample menu
Mini blueberry and lemon loaf cakes with lemon drizzle icing
Handmade linguine with red pepper, tomato and pepperoni sauce

A masterclass with...

When our Food Heroes are on board they will be teaching classes These are suitable for all levels of cooking ability. All other classes on the cruise will be taught by the Cookery Club Team.

Dinner with..

Our Food Heroes will be hosting dinners in the Cookery Club when they are on board. Step into The Cookery Club with legendary chefs for the ultimate culinary experience. After welcoming you with a glass of bubbly to their two-hour masterclasses they will guide you through the preparation of some of their favourite dishes. Watch and learn as they cook right before your eyes while explaining techniques and sharing treasured tips. Then, tuck into the delicious dishes. You can book these once-in-a-lifetime experiences through My P&O Cruises, but hurry – places are strictly limited to an intimate 24 per class.

Age Restrictions: Classes are for adults 18 years and older. Children 16 and 17 years of age may book onto a class as long as they are accompanied by an adult who is also booked on that same class. Family classes are for children who are of 8 years and older.

Dietary needs: Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs and substitute ingredients where we can. However due to the nature of the hosted dinners we may not be able to have the celebrity chef cook and cater for all dietary needs.

If you have any dietary requirements please speak to the Booking Line once on board for any class or hosted dinner to make sure we can do everything in our capabilities for you. If after discussing your dietary requirements with us you feel the menu changes for the dinner will not meet your original expectations you will be refunded.

Cookery Class Dress Code (Daytime, masterclasses and evening classes): You are encouraged to wear enclosed flat shoes, long trousers and a long-sleeved top/shirt for all classes. Aprons and chef hats will be provided.

Accessible station

The Cookery Club features one low level work station specifically designed for wheelchair users, as well as one wheelchair accessible place at the main table. 

Guests are welcome to attend by themselves, if a carer is required to assist during the class, the carer does not need to book a place.

Internal Information

Guest, Internal & Agent

The Cookery Club cannot currently be booked via My P&O Cruises and must be booked on board through My Holiday.

Marco Pierre White - New Patron of The Cookery Club on Britannia

To help you create compelling customer-facing communications new toolkit and set of assets have been created including new imagery and videos, and all-new on board collateral for The Cookery Club. Recipe packs are also available to download.

Please find a copy of the toolkit by clicking here.

All assets can be downloaded from Asset Bank: Browse -> Toolkits -> Food Heroes -> The Cookery Club

Available to book from 120 days before sailing
(Ligurian, Baltic & Caribbean tiers. Mediterranean, Atlantic, Pacific & non members on sale from 118 days.)

Do we cater for Vegans and Vegetarians

Many of our classes are already vegetarian (Bread, desserts can be altered to suit vegetarians).

The Pasta class is suitable for vegetarians without any alterations. However the pasta dough will not work without egg in the recipe so cannot be changed to accommodate vegans.

The Indian favourites class can be adapted for vegetarians.

Adapting our recipes to suit vegans is more tricky and will take time to look into as each recipe's ingredients closely. To help I've just created a spread sheet (this is internal information only) with a coding for vegetarian classes and those that can be adapted for vegetarians which should help the shoreside and on board teams.

Please see pictures below of accessible station:

The Cookery Club have three large 50 inch screens to view the Chef's demonstration bench from any station in the room.

There is no Medic in the room whilst cooking in the Cookery Club. We will have a first aid box for minor injuries. Anything that is more severe will either be sent to the Medical Centre or if needed a member of the medical team will be called and come to the Cookery Club immediately.

All food cooked in the Cookery Class will be eaten at the dining table in the Cookery Club.

Family Classes

Family classes are only on selected sailings.

DVD of the Cookery Club

There are no plans to film each of the classes onboard. We may include some general footage from classes during the cruise on the cruise dvd, this will be confirmed near the time.

Group Bookings

There is no group booking facility however one passenger can book as many spaces are they wish in any class

Accessibility

There is one workstation specifically built for a wheelchair / scooter user and 1 place at the main table for a wheelchair user.

If the wheelchair user is happy to attend by themselves they are welcome to come alone.  If they need a carer to accompany them then the carer can assist them during the class and does not have to book a place to be there to help them.

All cabins have a handrail in the shower.

We have launched a new and exciting photo experience on Iona. Details will be revealed later in the year for the rest of P&O Cruises fleet. Our professional photographers onboard Iona offer a range of stunning photo opportunities to capture your P&O Cruises experience. Your images can be viewed and ordered in the Photo Gallery in a choice of print sizes and settings.

The ship provides a private medical service and staff include doctors and nurses. Our medical facility has basic medications and equipment. Whilst we are able to offer an immediate medical response, it is important to understand that this is not the same as would be available in a land based facility and there is no access to surgical or complex intensive care facilities, advanced imaging or medical specialists.  

If an acute medical or surgical condition occurs, it could be life-threatening. Medical evacuations are not always possible and where arrangements can be made, they can be extremely expensive and may take hours or days to achieve.

COVID-19 PCR tests are not available to purchase via the Medical Centre.

Yes - all equipment will need to be carried on board as hand luggage and upon embarkation will be required to contact Reception so that an Electrical Officer can check the equipment is compatible with the ships electrical supply prior to sailing. All cabins are fitted with the British three pin sockets.

Additionally all rooms are fitted with 220V / 110V switchable razor sockets, except Britannia which are fitted with 230V / 120V that will require a UK adaptor.

Please note that the electrical supply on board P&O Cruises ships varies but may not be the same as the standard electrical supply in the UK.

Below is a picture of the shaver socket on board Britannia 

P&O Cruises cannot supply an extension lead. 

Please see 'What type of plug sockets / voltage are used on board and where are they located?' for further details.